git
anything, an' he'll come back at ye when ye'r least expectin' him."

"I told him that I am going to stay right in the parish, and that he
couldn't drive me out."

"Good for you!" Mrs. Jukes exclaimed. "I like to hear a man talk that
way. If the rest in Rixton would do the same Si would be taught a
lesson in a short time. But they all lie down and let him walk over
them."

"Ye'r always sayin' that, Susie," Jake chided. "Ye ought to know by
this time what a grip Si has on everything in this parish."

"Well, it's about time, then, that he lost his grip. If there was only
some one with any backbone who would go ahead, the rest would follow
all right. People are getting sick and tired of the Stubbles' rule."

"Maybe the new parson'll be that kind of a man," Jake suggested.
"'Spose we wait till he comes."

"H'm," and Mrs. Jukes tossed her head, "a great chance he'll have to go
ahead with everybody willing to crawl before Si Stubbles and lick his
boots. Why, just as soon as Si snaps his finger all the men dance
attendance, and you know it, Jake Jukes. You do the same yourself."

"But maybe the new parson might be able to do something," Jake replied,
as he mopped his forehead with a big red handkerchief. He was feeling
very hot and uncomfortable before his wife's attack.

"He'll be very different, then, from the last two we had," Mrs. Jukes
retorted. "I'm not expecting much from him, judging from the past."

Douglas was considerably amused at this conversation. He wondered what
Jake and his wife would say if they were suddenly told that the "new
parson" was before them. He was finding the part he was playing more
interesting every day. How it would end, and how he would explain
matters, he had not the least idea. He did not worry, however, leaving
the future to take care of itself.

That afternoon Douglas paid a visit to Mrs. Dempster. He wished to
find out for himself how Jean was getting along, and also to listen to
the widow, for he enjoyed hearing her talk, and her comments upon
parish affairs.

Mrs. Dempster was cooking in the kitchen, and Jean was lying on a sofa
near the stove, to all appearance asleep.

"It's right glad I am to see ye," and Mrs. Dempster placed a chair for
her visitor as she spoke. "It's a dull day and not many people
stirrin'. Empty's gone to his nets, so me an' Jean have been havin' a
quiet time all by ourselves."

"A busy time for you, I see," Douglas replied, gla