d gal! where away now!" cried the boy, seizing her skirt and
following her out, being unable to stop her.

"I'm a-goin' to tell Eve, an' _won't_ she be glad, for she was awful
fond o' Lockley!"

"All right, I'm with 'ee. Cut along."

"Mother!" exclaimed Eve, when the poor woman stood before her with eager
excitement flushing her face to a ruddy purple. "Have you _really_ put
on the blue ribbon?"

The poor child's thin pretty little race flushed with hope for a moment.

"Oh, it ain't that, dear," said Mrs Mooney, "but Lockley ain't drownded
arter all! He's--he's--"

Here Pat Stiver broke in, and began to explain to the bewildered girl.
He was yet in the midst of his "noos," when the door was flung open, and
Mrs Lockley hurried in.

"Forgive me, Mrs Mooney," she cried, grasping her friend's hand, "I
shouldn't have spoke to you as I did, but my heart was very sore. Oh,
it is breakin'!"

She sat down, covered her face with both hands, and sobbed violently.
Her friends stood speechless and helpless. It was obvious that she must
have left her house to make this apology before the clergyman who was to
break the news had reached it. Before any one could summon courage to
speak, a quick step was heard outside, and Lockley himself entered. He
had been waiting near at hand for the clergyman to summon him, when he
caught sight of his wife entering the hut.

Mrs Lockley sprang up--one glance, a wild shriek, but not of despair--
and she would have fallen to the ground had not her husband's strong
arms been around her.

It is believed that joy seldom or never kills. At all events it did not
kill on this occasion, for Mrs Lockley and her husband were seen that
same evening enjoying the hospitality of Mrs Martin, while their little
one was being fondled on the knees of the old granny, who pointed
through the attic window, and tried to arouse the child's interest in
the great sea.

When Mrs Mooney succeeded in turning her attention to the blue ribbon
on her breast, she laughed heartily at the idea of such a decoration--
much to the sorrow of Eve, who had prayed for many a day, not that her
mother might put on that honourable badge, but that she might be brought
to the Saviour, in whom are included all things good and true and
strong. Nevertheless, it is to be noted that Mrs Mooney did not put
the blue ribbon off. She went next day to have a laugh over it with
Mrs Lockley. But the fisherman's wife would not laugh.