ept Humphrey, who had waited for him,
and to whom he narrated all that had passed. Humphrey said little in
reply; he wished to think it over before he gave any opinion. He told
Edward that Jacob had been very ill the whole of the day, and had
requested Alice to read the Bible to him during the evening.

The next morning Edward went to Jacob, who for the last ten days had
altogether kept his bed, and gave him the detail of what had happened at
the keeper's lodge.

"You have been more bold than prudent, Edward," replied Jacob; "but I
could not expect you to have spoken otherwise. You are too proud and
too manly to tell a lie, and I am glad that it is so. As for your
upholding the king, although he is now a prisoner in their hands, they
cannot blame you or punish you for that, as long as you have not weapons
in your hands; but now that they have taken the forest under their
jurisdiction, you must be careful, for they are the ruling powers at
present, and must be obeyed, or the forfeit must be paid. Still I do
not ask you to promise me this or that; I only point out to you that
your sisters will suffer by any imprudence on your part; and for their
sakes be careful. I say this, Edward, because I feel that my days are
numbered, and that in a short time I shall be called away. You will
then have all the load on your shoulders which has been latterly on
mine. I have no fear for the result, if you are prudent; these few
months past, during which I have only been a burden to you, have proved
that you and Humphrey can find a living here for yourselves and your
sisters; and it is fortunate, now that the forest laws are about to be
put in force, that you have made the farm so profitable. If I might
advise, let your hunting in the forest be confined to the wild cattle;
they are not game, and the forest laws do not extend to them, and the
meat is as valuable as venison; that is to say, it does not sell so
dear, but there is more of it; but stick to the farm as much as you can;
for you see, Edward, you do not look like a low-born forester, nor ought
you to do so; and the more quiet you keep, the better. As for Oswald
Partridge, you may trust him; I know him well, and he will prove your
friend for my sake, as soon as he hears that I am dead. Leave me now, I
will talk to you again in the evening. Send Alice to me, my dear boy."

Edward was much distressed to perceive the change which had taken place
in old Jacob. He was ev