ies, had a simple and wholesome love of
all created things. She was infirm now, but was quite content, when it
was fine, to sit for long hours idle for very love, and look about her
with a peaceful and smiling air; she prayed much, or rather held a
sweet converse in her heart with God; she thought little of her latter
end, which she knew could not be long delayed, but was content to
leave it in the hands of the Father, sure that He, who had made the
world so beautiful and so full of love, would comfort her when she
came to enter in at the dark gate.

There was also an old and silent man who looked after the cattle and
the few hens that the household kept; at the back of the house was a
thatched timbered grange, where he laid his tools; but he spent his
time mostly in the garden, which sloped down to the fishpond, and was
all bordered with box; here was a pleasant homely scent, on hot days,
of the good herbs that shed their rich smell in the sun; and here the
flies, that sate in the leaves, would buzz at the sound of a footfall,
and then be still again, cleaning their hands together in their busy
manner.

The only other member of the quiet household was the boy Paul, who
was distantly akin to Mistress Alison. He had neither father nor
mother, and had lived at Heritage all of his life that he could
remember; he was a slender, serious boy, with delicate features, and
large grey eyes that looked as if they held a secret; but if they had,
it was a secret of his forefathers; for the boy had led a most quiet
and innocent life; he had been taught to read in a fashion, but he had
no schooling; sometimes a neighbouring goodwife would say to Mistress
Alison that the boy should be sent to school, and Mistress Alison
would open her peaceful eyes and say, "Nay, Paul is not like other
boys--he would get all the hurt and none of the good of school; when
there is work for him he will do it--but I am not for making all toil
alike. Paul shall grow up like the lilies of the field. God made not
all things to be busy." And the goodwife would shake her head and
wonder; for it was not easy to answer Mistress Alison, who indeed was
often right in the end.

So Paul grew up as he would; sometimes he would help the old
gardener, when there was work to be done; for he loved to serve
others, and was content with toil if it was sweetened with love; but
often he rambled by himself for hours together; he cared little for
company, because the earth