"You can't know what you'm doing then, miss; I'm sure of that.
They haven't told you. She's a very old woman, and 'tis all the bread she
has."

He stared at her, seeking reassurance.

"You are certainly right, so far: I have tumbled, it seems, into
mysteries. But for aught I know, I _am_ the new schoolmistress, and we
are enemies, it seems. Now will you walk ahead, or shall I?"

Still he paused, considering her face.

"But if you knew what a shame it is!" he stammered. "And you look good,
too!"

With a movement of the hand she begged him to leave her and walk ahead.
But as she did so she caught sound of hoofs and wheels on the road above.
They drew apart to let the vehicle pass, she to one side of the road, the
young sailor to the other. A light spring-cart came lurching round the
corner; and its driver, glancing from one to the other, drew rein sharply,
dragging the rough-coated cob back with a slither on the splashboard, and
bringing him to a stand between them.

CHAPTER IX.

MR. SAMUEL'S POLICY.

Hester's letter accepting the teachership had put Mr. Sam in something of
a quandary. It came addressed, of course, to his father, and as his
father's heir and executor he had opened it.

"'Hester Marvin'?" He read the signature and pondered, pulling his ragged
whisker. "So that was the name on the letter you posted?" (No question
had been asked about it at the inquest.)

"That was the name, sir," said Mr. Benny.

"Who is she? How did my father come to select her?"

Mr. Benny had not a notion.

"By her tone, they must have been pretty well acquainted," continued Mr.
Sam, still pondering. "She signs herself 'Yours very truly,' and hopes he
has been feeling better since his return. You know absolutely nothing
about her?"

"Absolutely nothing, sir."

"I wish,"--Mr. Sam began, but checked himself. What he really wished was
that Mr. Benny had used less haste in posting the letter--had intercepted
it, in short. But he did not like to say this aloud. "I wish," he went
on, "I knew exactly what the old man wrote; how far it committed us,
I mean." And by 'us' again, he meant the Board of Managers, upon which he
had no doubt of being elected to replace his father.

"You may be sure, sir," answered Mr. Benny, "that he made her a definite
offer. My dear master was never one to make two bites of a cherry."

"Well, we must let her come, and find out, if we can, how far we're
committed. Bette