ds and
ends, picked up here and there, such as he imagined Moll's house
contained. Joan was in a deep sleep, with her golden head pillowed on
Mrs. Harris's broad shoulder. There would be no use in waking her up;
she would only begin to cry. Darby was weary himself, too--so weary that
he would fain have flung his little body down on the heath where he
stood and slept some of his weariness away.

But the Happy Land! Would it not be better to hurry on, late though it
was? They would be sure to get in if they knocked loud enough and gave
their names at the gate. Then they could rest as long as they pleased,
with nothing to disturb or frighten them any more, and live always good
and happy--"blest, blest for aye."

These thoughts flashed through Darby's busy brain very fast. Then he
answered Moll in his direct, simple way.

"No, thank you," he said; "you are very kind, but we must be getting on
our way. I will carry Joan," he added, with a tired little gasp, looking
apprehensively up the long stretch of rough ground rising right in
front, and the now gloomy hilltop, above which heavy black clouds hung,
like the curtain of night about to descend and smother them in its
sombre folds.

"You can go on yer journey when you've rested a bit," coaxed the cunning
woman. "Or in the mornin'," she added; "that 'ud be best. You'd lose yer
way in the dark, sartin sure. I'll give you an' missy one o' the nice
beds that's in my house, where ye'll sleep soun' as tops. Then after
ye've had yer breakfasts in the mornin' ye'll start; an' my, ye'll be
there--wherever ye're goin'--in a jiffy! What do you think o' that?"

"Well, perhaps, since you are so very kind as to invite us to supper and
to stay for the night, and my sister seems so very tired--perhaps your
plan might be best," said Darby slowly. Then he added quickly, "But are
you sure you'll let us go when we want to in the morning--first thing
after breakfast?"

"Sure's anythin'," declared Moll unblushingly. "Mr. Harris himself
here'll put ye on the road.--Won't you, Joe?" asked Moll, with a sly
laugh.

"Sartin," answered Joe promptly. "I've never bin in the Happy Land
myself, but I'm familiar wi' the way there. I'll start the kids for it
right enough, you bet," and the ugly man winked at his wife knowingly.

On the strength of these false promises Darby agreed to accept the
hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Harris for the night. But he did not see the
glances of triumph, greed, cunnin