oes, too, were badly wanted. Rice and
prunes could not be had to-day. Alice bought a pair of cheaper shoes
than she intended, paying tenpence instead of a shilling; purchased the
two rabbits and the eggs; and found that she had one penny left. She
decided that this would answer her purpose--nay, it must do so. Mr
Benden was not likely to ask if she had all she needed, so long as she
did not fail to supply his own requirements. She arranged with the
poulterer to put by the rabbits, pigeons, and eggs, for which she would
send a boy in the afternoon; and carrying the rest of her parcels, with
which she was well laden, she took the road to Staplehurst.

As she turned the corner of the last house in Cranbrook, she was brought
to a stand-still by a voice behind her.

"Alice!"

A light sprang to Alice's eyes as she turned quickly round to greet a
man a few years older than herself--a man with grave dark eyes and a
brown beard. Passing all her parcels into the left hand, she gave him
the right--an action which at that time was an indication of intimate
friendship. The kiss and the hand-clasp have changed places since then.

"Why, Roger! I look not to see thee now. How goes it this morrow with
Christie?"

"As the Lord will, good sister."

"And that, mefeareth, is but evil?"

"Nay, I will not lay that name on aught the Lord doth. But she suffers
sorely, poor darling! Wilt come round our way and look in on her,
Alice?"

"I would I might, Roger!" said Alice, with a rather distressed look.
"But this morrow--"

"Thou hast not good conveniency thereto." Roger finished the sentence
for her. "Then let be till thine occasion serveth. Only, when it so
doth, bethink thee that a look on Aunt Alice is a rare comfort to the
little maid."

"Be thou sure I shall not forget it. Tom came in last night, Roger. He
and Tabitha and the childre, said he, fare well."

"That's a good hearing. And Edward hath his health?"

"Oh ay, Edward doth rarely well."

Mr Benden was not apt to lose his health, which partly accounted for
the very slight sympathy he was wont to show with those who were. It
was noticeable that while other people were spoken of by affectionate
diminutives both from Alice and her brother, Edward and Tabitha received
their names in full.

"Well, then, Alice, I shall look for thee--when thou shalt be able to
come. The Lord have thee in His keeping!"

"The Lord be with thee, dear Roger!"

And Roger H