ay happen."

Michael felt that he should be everything that was bad if he did not,
though it did not occur to him to make any great promises of what he
would do.

They went on talking cheerfully and happily together, for though Nelly
was anxious about her father, she did not yet understand how ill he was.

They procured the articles for which they had been sent, and, laden with
them, returned homewards. They were making their way along one of the
hedges which divide the fields in that part of Cornwall--not composed of
brambles but of solid rock, and so broad that two people can walk
abreast without fear of tumbling off--and were yet some distance from
the edge of the ravine down which they had to go to their home, when
they saw Eban Cowan coming towards them.

"I wish he had gone some other way," said Nelly. "He is very kind
bringing me shells and other things, but, Michael, I do not like him. I
do not know what it is, but there is something in the tone of his voice;
it's not truthful like yours and father's."

"I never thought about that. He is a bold-hearted, good-natured
fellow," observed Michael. "He has always been inclined to like us, and
shown a wish to be friendly."

"I don't want to make him suppose that we are not friendly," said Nelly;
"only still--"

She was unable to finish the sentence, as the subject of their
conversation had got close up to them.

"Good-day, Nelly; good-day, Michael," he said, putting out his hand.
"You have got heavy loads; let me carry yours, Nelly."

She, however, declined his assistance.

"It is lighter than you suppose, and I can carry it well," she answered.

He looked somewhat angry and then walked on, Michael having to give way
to let him pass. Instead, however, of doing so, he turned round
suddenly and kept alongside Nelly, compelling Michael in consequence to
walk behind them.

"I went to ask after your father, Nelly," he said, "and, hearing that
you were away, came on to meet you. I am sorry to find he is no
better."

"Thank you," said Nelly; "father is very ill, I fear; but God is
merciful, and will take care of him and make him well if He thinks fit."

Eban made no reply to this remark. He was not accustomed in his family
to hear God spoken of except when that holy name was profaned by being
joined to a curse.

"You had better let me take your creel, Nelly; it will be nothing to
me."

"It is nothing to me either," answered Nelly, laughing. "I un