Chester had been shifting about uneasily . He realized that , if his project did not miscarry , he would not see his aunt again , and his heart softened to her . Harsh as she was , she was the only protector he had ever known , and the boy had a vague wish to carry away with him some kindly word or look from her . Such , however , was not forthcoming , and Chester obeyed her command and took himself off to the garret . Here he sat down and reflected on his plans . He must go that very night . When Mr. Stearns failed to appear on the morrow , Mrs. Elwell was quite likely to march up and demand the amount of Chester 's wages . It would all come out then , and he would lose his money -- besides , no doubt , getting severely punished into the bargain . His preparations did not take long . He had nothing to carry with him . The only decent suit of clothes he possessed was his well-worn Sunday one . This he put on , carefully stowing away in his pocket the precious four dollars . He had to wait until he thought his aunt was asleep , and it was about eleven when he crept downstairs , his heart quaking within him , and got out by the porch window . When he found himself alone in the clear moonlight of the August night , a sense of elation filled his cramped little heart . He was free , and he would never come back here -- never ! `` Wisht I could have seen Henry to say good-by to him , though , '' he muttered with a wistful glance at the big house across the pond where the unconscious Henry was sleeping soundly with never a thought of moonlight flittings for anyone in his curly head . Chester meant to walk to Roxbury Station ten miles away . Nobody knew him there , and he could catch the morning train . Late as it was , he kept to fields and wood-roads lest he might be seen and recognized . It was three o'clock when he reached Roxbury , and he knew the train did not pass through until six .
With the serenity of a philosopher who is starting out to win his way in the world and means XXXXX make the best of things , Chester curled himself up in the hollow space of a big lumber pile behind the station , and so tired was he that he fell soundly asleep in a few minutes .
about as besides if in of on that to with