y then. So dry thy eyes, little un; it'll be all
right, thou sees."

"But, Father, you'll not do without me!"

"Don't thee be conceited, lass." Old Dan was trying hard to swallow a
lump in his throat. "I'll see thee by nows and thens. Thou'll be a
deal better off. And there's--there's El'nor."

"Eleanor's not _always_ in a good temper," said Bertha doubtfully.

"She's best o' t'other lot," said old Dan. "She's none so bad, by nows
and thens. I shall do rarely, thou'll see. But, Avice--dost thou think
thou could just creep off like at th' lee-side o' th' house, wi' the
little maid, afore She sees thee? When thou'rt gone I'll tell her, and
then I'll have a run for't till it's o'er. She's better to take when
first comings-off is done. She'll smooth down i' th' even, as like as
not, and then I'll send El'nor o'er wi' the little maid's bits o' gear.
Or, if she willn't go, I can bring 'em myself, when work's done. Let's
get it o'er afore She finds aught out!"

Avice scarcely knew whether to laugh or to be sorry. Poor, weak,
easy-tempered Dan! They took his advice, and crept round by the
lee-side of the house, under cover of the hedge. When they were out of
sight, with a belt of trees between, old Dan took leave of them.

"Thou'll be good to the little maid, Avice," said he. "I know thou
will, or I'd never ha' let her go. But she'll be better off--ay, a deal
better off, she'll be. She gets put upon, she does. And being
youngest, thou sees--I say, my lass, thou'd best call her aunt. She's
so much elder than thee; it'll sound better nor cousin."

"Very good, Father," said Bertha. "But, O Father! who'll stitch your
buttons on, and comb your hair when you rest after work, and sing to
you? O Father, let me go back!"

"Tut, tut, lass!" said old Dan, clearing his throat energetically. "If
one wife and four daughters cannot keep a man's buttons on, there's
somewhat wanting somewhere. I shall miss thy singing, I dare say; but I
can come down, thou knows, of a holy-day even, to hear thee. And as to
combin'--stars knows I shall get enough o' that, and a bit o'er that I
can spare for old Christopher next door. He's got no wife, and only one
lass, and she's a peaceable un. He's a deal to be thankful for. Now,
God be wi' ye both. Keep a good heart, and step out. I'll let ye get a
bit on afore I tell Her. And then I'll run for't!"

Avice and Bertha "stepped out" accordingly; and as nobody came after
t