loyment. The other farmers will not take him on now if they
can help it."

"No; thaay falls out wi' one another bad enough, and calls all
manner o' names. But thaay can't abide a poor man to speak his
mind, nor take his own part, not one on 'em," said David, looking
at Miss Winter, as if doubtful how she might take his strictures;
but she went on without any show of dissent,--

"I shall try to get him work for my father, but I am sorry to
find that Simon does not seem to like the idea of taking him on.
It is not easy always to make out Simon's meaning. When I spoke
to him, he said something about a bleating sheep losing a bite;
but I should think this young man is not much of a talker in
general?"--she paused.

"That's true, miss," said David, energetically; "there ain't a
quieter spoken or steadier man at his work in the parish."

"I'm very glad to hear you say so," said Miss Winter, "and I hope
we may soon do something for him. But what I want you to do just
now is to speak a word to him about the company he seems to be
getting into."

The constable looked somewhat aghast at this speech of Miss
Winter's, but did not answer, not knowing to what she was
alluding. She saw that he did not understand, and went on--

"He is mowing to-day with a gang from the heath and the next
parish; I am sure they are very bad men for him to be with. I was
so vexed when I found Simon had given them the job; but he said
they would get it all down in a day, and be done with it, and
that was all he cared for."

"And 'tis a fine day's work, miss, for five men," said David,
looking over the field; "and 'tis good work too, you mind the
swarth else," and he picked up a handful of the fallen grass to
show her how near the ground it was cut.

"Oh, yes, I have no doubt they are very good mowers, but they are
not good men, I'm sure. There, do you see now who it is that is
bringing them beer? I hope you will see Widow Winburn's son, and
speak to him, and try to keep him out of bad company. We should
be all so sorry if he were to get into trouble."

David promised to do his best, and Miss Winter wished him good
evening, and rejoined her cousin.

"Well, Katie, will he do your behest?"

"Yes, indeed; and I think he is the best person to do it. Widow
Winburn thinks her son minds him more than any one."

"Do you know, I don't think it will ever go right. I'm sure she
doesn't care the least for him."

"Oh, you have only just seen her onc