hew. "I did not
know what to do. I asked Ruth's advice. I could not be certain that the
note was meant for you. And--guessing what I thought I guessed--I was
afraid to bring it."

"Well, well! Well, well!" said Ezra. "It's been too sad an' mournful
all along for me to go about to make a new quarrel on it. Let it pass. I
make no doubt you acted for the best. Art too good a lad to tek pleasure
in prying into the pain of an old man--as--loves thee. Leave it alone,
lad. Let's think a while, and turn it over and see what may be done."

He went back to his arm-chair, and Reuben watched him in sympathetic
silence.

"I know her to be bitter hard upon me in her thoughts," said Ezra, after
a time. "The kind of scorn her bears for me is good for nobody, not even
if it happens to be grounded i' the right. It might be a blow to her
at first, but it 'ud be a blow as 'ud carry healing with it i' the long
run. Let the wench tek the letter. It'll be easier for her to get it at
a woman's hands."

He drew the cracked and faded letter from his waistcoat-pocket, and held
it out towards Reuben without looking at him.

"I think that will be the best and kindest course, sir," said Reuben,
accepting the letter and placing it in his pocket-book. "It may not be
easy for Ruth to speak to her just at first, for she is very angry with
her for having engaged herself to me."

"I have heard word of her opposing it," answered Ezra. "Theer are them
in Heydon Hay as elsewheer--folks, without being aythur coarse-hearted
or hard-minded, as talk of their neighbors' affairs, and love to tell
you whatever there is to be heard as is unpleasing. I have been told
as her describes me as a villin, and speaks in the same terms of you,
Reuben. And that's why I advised you to speak out before there should be
time to make mischief, if by any chance mischief might be made. And
I've seen enough to know as theer's no staple so easy to mannyfacture as
ill-will, even betwixt them as thinks well of each other. But, Reuben,
even the best of women are talkers, and I look for it to be made a point
on between Ruth and you, that no word of this is breathed except between
your two selves."

"You may trust Ruth as much as you trust me, uncle," said Reuben.

"Like enough," answered Ezra. "And I've a warm liking for her. But
there'll be no unkind-ness in naming my particular wish i' this affair."

"No, no," answered Reuben. "I will tell her what you say. You may trust
us b