e distance off. I hear he's doin' purty
well for himself at Guildford. Why don't you go to him? He's more
suitable in age, and he's a nice-lookin' young fellow."

"Mrs. Cheel," said Mehetabel, standing still, "will you go forward
a little faster? I cannot walk with you. I do not ask you for any
advice. I do not want to hear what you have to say. I have been to
the parson. It seems to me that I can get no help from heaven, but
that hell is holding out hands on all sides, offering assistance.
Go on your way. I shall sit here for half an hour. I am too weary
to walk at your pace."

"As you will," said Bessy Cheel. "I spoke out of good will,
and told what would be the best for you. If you won't take my
opinion--that's no odds to me, and it may turn out wuss for you."

Mehetabel drew aside, to a nodule of ironstone rock that capped the
first elevation of the Common, the first stage of the terraces
that rise to Hind Head.

Here she remained till all chance of association with Mrs. Cheel
was over. Then she went on to Thursley village, to find the Widow
Chivers in great excitement. Jonas Kink had been in the village
inquiring for his wife and child; and had learned that both had
been given shelter by the dame.

He had come to the school, and had demanded his wife and his little
son. Betty had taken charge of the infant and laid it to sleep in
her own bed and happily at this time it was asleep. When she told
Bideabout that Mehetabel had left the house in quest of work, he
had happily concluded that she had carried the child with her, and
had asked no further questions; but he had been violent and
menacing. He had threatened to fetch the constable and recover his
child, even if he let the mother go where she liked.

Mehetabel was greatly alarmed.

"I cannot stay here," she said, "in no case will I give up the babe.
When Iver Verstage baptized me it was lest I should become a
wanderer. I suppose the christening was a poor one--for my
wandering is begun, and it is not I only who am condemned to
wander, but my little child also."

With a heavy heart she left the dame's school. Had she been alone
she would have run to Godalming or Hazelmere, and sought a situation
as a domestic servant, but that was not possible to her now,
cumbered with the child.

Watching her opportunity, that none of the villagers might observe
her leaving the school and note the direction she took, she ran out
upon the heath, and turned away from th