r, ye've made a
good swop, an' I don't know which on ye's got t' best o' t' bargain."

"I have, Reuben," said the Cynic heartily.

I wasn't going to contradict him, of course, though I know he is
"mista'en."

"I was just thinkin', miss, if it's all t' same to you," continued the
farmer, "'at it 'ud be a charity to let Martha an' her little lass have
your cottage. You see----"

"But you forget they are only for widows, Mr. Goodenough," I
interrupted.

He glanced quickly at Philip. "They haven't told you then, miss?
Well, it's out now. Martha is a widow. Barjona got clear by t' skin
of his teeth, but Roger an' t' dog were killed on t' spot; an' though
it sounds a 'ard sayin', it's no loss to Martha an' Lucy. Are we to
let 'em have t' cottage, think ye?"

I agreed, of course; but the tragic death of Roger had saddened me, and
as usual Reuben noticed my clouded expression.

"Now don't you take on, miss. You'll 'ave to leave these things to
them above. After all, as t' Owd Book says, 'It's an ill wind 'at
blows nobody iny good,' an' t' storm has blown you two into one
another's arms an' Martha into t' cottage, in a manner o' speakin'; so
we must look on t' cheerful side. However, I must be stirring."

He raised his cap and left us, and I turned to the Cynic.

"Philip," I said, and I know the tears filled my eyes, "the sight of
the cottage brings back to me sweet memories of dear old Mother
Hubbard. How delighted she would have been to welcome us! How pleased
she would have been if she had known!"

"She did know, Grace," he replied. "I called to see her when you were
away, and the good soul spoke to me about you in such loving terms that
I could not help making her my confidante; and do you know, she asked
if she might kiss me before I left. She hoped to live to see the
consummation, but if that were denied her she bade me tell you how
earnestly she had prayed for our happiness, and how fervently she had
longed to see us united."

Now I have reached the very last line in my book. How could I end it
better than with Mother Hubbard's blessing?

THE END

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_SOME EARLY PRESS OPINIONS_

WINDYRIDGE

_Pall Mall Gazette_.--"'Windyridge' can be heartily recommended."

_Saturday Review_.--"Oh, 'Windyridge' were paradise enow."

_Academy_.--"'Windyridge'is an arresting, fascinating book, one to read
and read again."