In his revery, Dick compared the little stream of water to his life,
running fretted and troubled, from the very edge of its birthplace;
and he followed it with his eye down through the pasture lot, until
it was lost in the distance; then looking into the blue vista of the
hills, he followed on, in his mind, where the stream grew deeper and
broader. Suddenly, he sprang to his feet and walked hastily away along
the bank of the creek. In a little while, he stood at the point of
land where the two valleys became one, and the two streams were united,
and with a long breath of relief, found that the course of the larger
stream, as far as he could see, was smooth and untroubled, while the
valley through which it flowed was broad and beautiful.
At the appointed time, Dick went to the school-house, and with Amy,
walked through the woods toward the farm where she lived, while she
told him of her life since last they met; of her father's visit and
his threats, and of her fear that he would force her to go home. The
farm had been sold the day after Adam was there, and how through her
friends, she had obtained her present position in the school. She told
of her pride and desire to wipe out alone, the disgrace, as alone she
had fallen. She longed to be of use in the world.
As she talked, Dick's face grew bright. "This is good news indeed,"
he said. "I'm so glad for your sake." Then, with a smile, "I see you
do not need my help now that you can be of so much help to others.
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