with a soft blush tinging neck and face; and Miss Munroe rose and left her and Benny together. It was growing dark by this time^ and she sat with her back to the lights so that Benny could scarcely see her face.
"I am very grateful to you, Mr. Bates," she began in a low voice, "for your bravery in stopping our horse the other night."
Benny started, for something in the voice reminded him again of other days, and he did not reply for a moment; and Eva went on—
"Uncle tells me that if you had not stopped the horse, nothing could have saved us;" and she shuddered slightly.
"I am very thankful, indeed, that I have been permitted to be of service to you," began Benny.
Then Mrs. Munroe came forward, and the conversation drifted off into matters in general, for which he was very thankful, and ended in Eva being requested to sing.
"What are your favourite songs?" asked Mrs. Munroe.
" Well, I hardly know," said Benny, blushing. "I know so very few; but the simpler they are the better they please me, as a rule."
"Could you mention one or two?"
"Yes; there is one called 'Love at Home,' which I like very much."
"Oh, that is one of your old songs, dear," said Mrs. Munroe, turning to Eva. "You remember it, don't you?"
"Yes, quite well; but I don't care to sing it, aunt, unless Mr. Bates very much wishes to hear it."
