"Ratty she was with you. She's goin' to make
trouble, I'm afraid. Well, s'long 'Earty! I must be orf;" and Bindle
went out into the passage.

"Joseph," called out Mr. Hearty, "I want to speak to you."

Bindle re-entered. Mr. Hearty walked round him and shut the door
stealthily.

"What do you mean, Joseph?" There was fear in Mr. Hearty's voice and
eyes.

Bindle walked up to him and whispered something in his ear.

"I--I----" Mr. Hearty stuttered and paled. "My God!"

"You see, 'Earty, she told me all about it at the time," said Bindle
calmly.

"It's a lie, a damned lie!" shouted Mr. Hearty.

"'Ush, 'Earty, 'ush!" said Bindle gently. "Such language from you! Oh,
naughty! 'Earty, naughty!"

"It's a lie, I tell you." Mr. Hearty's voice was almost tearful. "It's
a wicked endeavour to ruin me."

"All you got to do, 'Earty," said Bindle, "is to go to ole
Six-an'-Eightpence an' 'ave 'er up."

"It's a lie, I tell you," said Mr. Hearty weakly as he sank down upon
the couch.

"So you jest said," remarked Bindle calmly. "I thought I better let
you know she was goin' up to tell the Ole Bird on the 'Ill. Women is
funny things, 'Earty, when you gets their goat. She asked me if I'd
mind 'er goin'. Says she wouldn't do anythink I didn't want 'er to,
because I was the only one wot stood by 'er. Made a rare fuss, she
did, though it wasn't much I done. Well, 'Earty, you're busy, an' I
must be orf." Bindle made a movement towards the door.

"Joseph, you must stop her!" Mr. Hearty sprang up, his eyes dilated
with fear.

"Me!" exclaimed Bindle in surprise. "It ain't nothink to do with me.
You jest been tellin' me I'm always a-buttin' in where I ain't wanted,
and now----"

"But--but you must, Joseph," pleaded Mr. Hearty. "If this was to get
about, it would ruin me."

"Now ain't you funny, 'Earty," said Bindle. "'Ere are you a-wantin' me
to do wot you said 'urt your feelin's."

"If you do this, Joseph, I'll--I'll----"

Bindle looked at Mr. Hearty steadily. "I'll try," he said, "an' now I
must be 'oppin'. Toosday I think was the date. I suppose you'll be
'avin' it at the chapel? I'd like to 'ave a word with Millikins before
I go. I'll come into the parlour with you, 'Earty."

"You will see----" began Mr. Hearty.

"Right-o!" replied Bindle cheerfully. "You leave it to me."

Mr. Hearty turned meekly and walked downstairs to the parlour, where
Mrs. Hearty and Millie were seated.

"It's all right, Millikins, your fathe