ve hit upon a plan to get
out of the awkward corner she has put us in. What you'll think of it I
can't say.'

'David has just given me the heads.'

'And do it hurt your feelings, my son, at such a time?'

'No--I'll bring myself to bear it, anyhow! Why should I object to other
people's happiness because I have lost my own?' said Bob, with saintly
self-sacrifice in his air.

'Well said!' answered the miller heartily. 'But you may be sure that
there will be no unseemly rejoicing, to disturb ye in your present frame
of mind. All the morning I felt more ashamed than I cared to own at the
thought of how the neighbours, great and small, would laugh at what they
would call your folly, when they knew what had happened; so I resolved to
take this step to stave it off, if so be 'twas possible. And when I saw
Mrs. Garland I knew I had done right. She pitied me so much for having
had the house cleaned in vain, and laid in provisions to waste, that it
put her into the humour to agree. We mean to do it right off at once,
afore the pies and cakes get mouldy and the blackpot stale. 'Twas a good
thought of mine and hers, and I am glad 'tis settled,' he concluded
cheerfully.

'Poor Matilda!' murmured Bob.

'There--I was afraid 'twould hurt thy feelings,' said the miller, with
self-reproach: 'making preparations for thy wedding, and using them for
my own!'

'No,' said Bob heroically; 'it shall not. It will be a great comfort in
my sorrow to feel that the splendid grub, and the ale, and your stunning
new suit of clothes, and the great table-cloths you've bought, will be
just as useful now as if I had married myself. Poor Matilda! But you
won't expect me to join in--you hardly can. I can sheer off that day
very easily, you know.'

'Nonsense, Bob!' said the miller reproachfully.

'I couldn't stand it--I should break down.'

'Deuce take me if I would have asked her, then, if I had known 'twas
going to drive thee out of the house! Now, come, Bob, I'll find a way of
arranging it and sobering it down, so that it shall be as melancholy as
you can require--in short, just like a funeral, if thou'lt promise to
stay?'

'Very well,' said the afflicted one. 'On that condition I'll stay.'

XXI. 'UPON THE HILL HE TURNED'

Having entered into this solemn compact with his son, the elder Loveday's
next action was to go to Mrs. Garland, and ask her how the toning down of
the wedding had best be done. 'It is plain enoug