they brought grist to his
mill, they would be sure to have it ready ground at the day and hour
they had named, if the wind blew to turn the sails. They found also
that old Sam Green was always ready to oblige them if he could. "Great
change has come over Sam,--can't understand it," said some of those who
came to the mill. "Does he think that he is going to die? Can that
make him so gentle and willing to oblige?"

The miller seemed to be much as he was before. He was even rude to
Farmer Grey, when once or twice he came to his house. At last, one day,
when the farmer was speaking in a serious tone to Mark, the miller told
him plainly that he did not want to hear him or see him. The farmer
said nothing, and was just as civil and kind to Mark as before. One
day, Mark had gone into the neighbouring town on business; Mary had
walked up to see Mrs Dobbs, Farmer Grey's housekeeper; and Mrs Page
was the only person in the house. Sam was at the mill, but all the
other men were away with the carts. Mrs Page had left a pile of wood
to dry near the fire, before which some clothes were hung up to air;
some fagots, besides, were placed against the wall, and some wood with
which Mark was going to repair some work in the mill. Mistress Page was
sitting in her room sewing, when she smelt a smell of fire, and then
smoke made its way into the room, for the door was ajar. She began to
fear that the house was on fire; and soon she was certain of it, for
thick curls of smoke came out from the kitchen. Instead of shutting the
door, and going up to the mill to call Sam, she threw open all the
windows and doors she could reach, and ran out of the house, screaming
"Fire! fire! fire!"

After some time Sam heard the poor woman's cries, and looking out of a
window in the mill, saw the flames bursting forth from every part of the
house. He hurried out of the mill as fast as his lameness would allow;
but he soon saw that alone he could do nothing in putting out the fire.

In a few minutes, however, several men were seen coming from Farmer
Grey's, with buckets in their hands, followed by the farmer on
horseback. By the time, however, they reached the spot, the house was
in flames, from one end to the other. Still there was work for them to
do, to try and save the out-buildings. Even the mill itself was
threatened, as the wind blew towards it. The men pulled down the sheds
nearest the house, and damped the straw thatch of two or thr