ting out his portmanteau. "Good night."

"Good night," said Tom, with an answering nod. "I wonder what his
business is?" he thought, as he pursued his way. "Shouldn't be
surprised if he was the engineer who's to see to the laying down of the
new line; he's that quick, smart way with him as if he'd been about a
lot and knew a thing or two."

"Lodgings!" echoed Allison, slowly, as the stranger reiterated his
request. "It's not a thing we are often asked for in Rudham. I'd make
no objection to taking you in myself, but Mrs. Allison's not partial to
strangers."

"I should be sorry to inconvenience Mrs. Allison; is there no one else
you can think of?"

"Mrs. Pink 'ud do it; but she's a baby who's teething, and fretful o'
nights."

"And that would not suit me!" said the newcomer, with decision.

"I have it!" cried Allison, bringing down his big hand with a
resounding slap upon his knee. "Mrs. Macdonald's the body for you!
There's not a better woman in Rudham, and I know 'em pretty well in
these parts. Her husband's only just gone up street; he were talkin'
here not five minutes ago. There's only their two selves, and the
cottage one of the best in the place."

"It sounds as if it would suit me down to the ground. And if Mrs.
Macdonald could give me shelter, even for a few nights, it would give
me time to look about me."

"Thinkin' of settlin' in these parts?" inquired Allison. "There's no
house as I knows on vacant."

"I've no settled plans at present," answered the stranger. "If you'll
kindly direct me to Mrs. Macdonald's, I'll go and try my fate."

"Eighth house from here, set back a bit from the road, with a little
orchard behind it; and you can say as I sent you," said Allison,
feeling his name a good enough recommendation for any stranger.

The door of the eighth house set back a little from the road was
partially open as the new arrival made his way up the box-bordered
path, with beds on either side of it gay with flowers; and before he
could knock a neatly dressed middle-aged woman threw it wide and
surveyed him from head to foot.

"And what may you be wanting, sir?" she asked, quite civilly.

"A lodging for a night or two. And Mr. Allison at the forge seemed to
think you might be inclined to take me in."

"I'm not sure as my John will wish it. But if you'll step inside I'll
ask him," replied Mrs. Macdonald, motioning him to a chair.

"Unless they turn me out by force, I shall stay," he