And on my way back to the Bar N I mean to stop off at Plainfield again for another week , and then I shall tell you something more -- something it would be a little too bold to say now , perhaps , although I could say it just as well and truly . All this if I may . May I , Sidney ? '' He bent forward and looked earnestly into her face . Sidney felt a new , curious , inexplicable thrill at her heart . `` Oh , yes . -- I suppose so , '' she said shyly . `` Now , take me up to the house and introduce me to your Aunt Jane , '' said John Lincoln in satisfied tone . An Adventure on Island Rock `` Who was the man I saw talking to you in the hayfield ? '' asked Aunt Kate , as Uncle Richard came to dinner . `` Bob Marks , '' said Uncle Richard briefly . `` I 've sold Laddie to him . '' Ernest Hughes , the twelve-year-old orphan boy whom Uncle `` boarded and kept '' for the chores he did , suddenly stopped eating . `` Oh , Mr. Lawson , you 're not going to sell Laddie ? '' he cried chokily . Uncle Richard stared at him . Never before , in the five years that Ernest had lived with him , had the quiet little fellow spoken without being spoken to , much less ventured to protest against anything Uncle Richard might do . `` Certainly I am , '' answered the latter curtly . `` Bob offered me twenty dollars for the dog , and he 's coming after him next week . '' `` Oh , Mr. Lawson , '' said Ernest , rising to his feet , his small , freckled face crimson .
`` Oh , do n't sell XXXXX !
Ernest Jane Kate Laddie Marks Plainfield Richard Sidney dollars hayfield