ose
between that or two year in gaol? He'm lucky, and I'll tell un so come
the marnin'."

Thus matters were left, and the miller retired in some secret shame, for
he had planned an act which, if great in the world's eye, had yet a dark
side from his own inner view of it; but Mr. Blee suffered no pang from
conscience upon the question. He heartily disliked Blanchard, and he
contemplated the morrow with keen satisfaction. If his sharp tongue had
power to deepen the wound awaiting Will's self-respect, that power would
certainly be exercised.

Meantime the youth himself passed homeward in a glow of admiration for
Mr. Lyddon.

"I'd lay down my life smilin' for un," he told Chris, who was astounded
at his news. "I'll think for un, an' act for un, till he'll feel I'm his
very right hand. An' if I doan't put a spoke in yellow Billy's wheel,
call me a fule. Snarling auld swine! But Miller! Theer's gude workin'
religion in that man; he'm a shining light for sartain."

They talked late upon this wondrous turn of fortune, then Will
recollected his mother and nothing would serve but that he wrote
instantly to tell her of the news.

"It'll cheer up uncle, tu, I lay," he said.

"A letter comed while you was out," answered Chris; "he'm holding his
awn, but 'tis doubtful yet how things be gwaine to fare in the upshot."

"Be it as 'twill, mother can do more 'n any other living woman could for
un," declared Will.

CHAPTER XIV

LOGIC

As Mr. Blee looked out upon a grey morning, the sallows leaping from
silver to gold, from bud to blossom, scattered brightness through the
dawn, and the lemon catkins of the hazel, the russet tassels of alders,
brought light along the river, warmth into the world. A bell beat five
from Chagford Church tower, and the notes came drowsily through morning
mists. Then quick steps followed on the last stroke of the hour and Will
stood by Billy's side in Monks Barton farmyard. The old man raised his
eyes from contemplation of a spade and barrow, bid Blanchard "Good
morning" with simulated heartiness, and led the way to work, while Will
followed, bringing the tools. They passed into a shrubbery of syringa
bushes twenty yards distant, and the younger man, whose humour had been
exceedingly amiable until that moment, now flushed to his eyes before
the spectacle of his labour.

"Do 'e mean that Miller's got nothin' for me to do but this?"

"Plenty, plenty, I 'sure 'e; but that ban't your business,