r 'n me for a
wife; an' yet they all 'pear the same, an' act the same soft sort o'
style when they 'm like it." Then she considered that, seeing what
friendship already obtained between Clement and Martin Grimbal, it was
strange the latter still went in ignorance. "Anyways, if I'm not wrong,
the sooner he 'm told the better, for he's a proper fashioned man," she
thought.

While Chris was still revolving this matter in her mind, Mrs. Blanchard
returned with some news.

"Postmistress stepped out of the office wi' this as I corned down the
village," she said. "'T is from Mrs. Watson, I fancy."

Her daughter brought a light, and the letter was perused. "Uncle 's took
bad," Mrs. Blanchard presently announced; "an' sends to say as he wants
me to go along an' help Sarah Watson nurse un."

"Him ill! I never thought he was made of stuff to be ill."

"I must go, whether or no. I'll take the coach to Moreton to-morrow."

Mrs. Blanchard mentally traversed her wardrobe as she drank tea, and had
already packed in anticipation before the meal was ended. Will, on
returning, was much perturbed at this bad news, for since his own
marriage Uncle Ford had become a hero among men to him.

"What's amiss she doan't say--Mrs. Watson--but it's more 'n a fleabite
else he wouldn't take his bed. But I hopes I'll have un to rights again
in a week or so. 'Mind me to take a bottle of last summer's Marshmally
brew, Chris. Doctors laugh at such physic, but I knaw what I knaw."

"Wonder if't would better him to see me?" mused Will.

"No, no; no call for that. You'll be fit to stand to work by Monday, so
mind your business an' traapse round an' look for it. Theer 's plenty
doin' 'pon the land now, an' I want to hear you' ve got a job 'fore I
come home. Husbands must work for two; an' Phoebe'll be on your hands
come less than a couple o' years."

"One year and five months and seven days 't is."

"Very well. You've got to mind a brace of things meantime; to make a
vitty home for her by the sweat of your body, an' to keep your hands off
her till she 'm free to come to 'e."

"Big things both, though I ban't afeared of myself afore 'em. I've
thought a lot in my time, an' be allowed to have sense an' spirit for
that matter."

"Spirit, ess fay, same as your faither afore you; but not so much sense
as us can see wi'out lightin' cannel."

"Wonder if Uncle Joel be so warm a man as he'd have us think sometimes
of an evenin' arter his hot whiskey an