s on us, the weather have been that changeable
I didn't know but I might put it off to anywhen."

This was said on the morrow of the occurrence just described.

Whilst Mrs. Verstage was engaged in the baking she had not time for
much talk, but she asked abruptly: "What's that as to Bideabout?
Father said he'd come on you and him, and you was both in a sort
o' take on."

Mehetabel had no reason for reticence, and she told the hostess of
the suit of the Broom-Squire, and of the manner in which he made
his proposal. Mrs. Verstage said nothing at the time. She was
occupied--too occupied for comments. But when the cake was in the
oven, she seated herself at the kitchen table, with a sigh of
relief, and beckoned to Mehetabel to do the same.

Mrs. Verstage was warm, both on account of the heat of the morning,
but also because she had been hard at work. She fanned herself
with a dish, and as she did so looked at the girl.

"So--the Broom-Squire offered himself, did he?"

Mehetabel made a sign in the affirmative.

"Well," continued the hostess, "if he weren't so good a customer
here he would be suitable enough. But yet a good wife will soon
cure him. A hudger (bachelor) does things as a married man don't
allow himself."

Mehetabel looked questioningly at the landlady.

She said: "There must be good stuff in a man, or marriage won't
bring it out."

"Who says there ain't good stuff in Bideabout?"

"I have never seen the glint of it."

"You don't see the iron ore as lies under the sand, but there it
is, and when wanted it can be worked. I like a man to show his
wust side forefront. There's many a man's character is like his
wesket, red plush and flowers in front and calico in rags behind
hid away under his coat."

Mehetabel was surprised, troubled. She made no response, but color
drifted across her face.

"After all," pursued Mrs. Verstage, "he may ha' come here not after
liquor, but drawed by you. Then you see he's been alone all these
years, and scriptur' saith it ain't good for a man to be that.
They goes sour and mouldy--men do if unmarried. I think you'd be
fulfillin' your dooty, and actin' accordin' to the word o' God if
you took him."

"I--mother! I!" The girl shrank back. "Mother, let him take some
one else. I don't want him."

"But he wants you, and he don't want another. Matabel, it's all
moonshine about leap year. The time never comes when the woman can
ax the man. It's tother way up--and Provide