l very well to say. Bind me, but how? What bind will
hold--when the marriage tie does not?"

"The marriage tie would have held me till death," answered
Mehetabel gravely, "if Jonas had not done that which makes it
impossible for me to remain. It is not for my sake that I am away.
Had I been alone I would have borne all till I died. But I have
other duties now. I am a mother. Here is my darling, a charge from
God. I owe it to God to do what I am here for--to find another
home, a place away from the Punch-Bowl."

"What do you mean?"

"I cannot explain."

"Is the Punch-Bowl unhealthy for the child?"

"Yes, it would die there."

"Who told you so?"

"I know it. My heart says so."

"Now look here," said Colpus, getting red as a poppy, "there's a
lot of talk in the place about you. Some say that Bideabout is in
the wrong, some say that the wrong lies with you. It is reported
that he beat you, and there are folks that tell as how you gave him
occasion. You must let me know the right of it all, or I can't take
you."

"Then I must go," said Mehetabel, "I cannot tell you all. You may
think ill of me if you choose, I cannot help that."

Colpus rubbed his foxy whiskers and head.

"You're a won'erful active woman, and do more work than three
ordinary gals. I'd like to have you in the house. But then--what
am I to say if Kink comes to claim you?"

"Say you will not give me up."

"But I ain't so sure but what he can force me to surrender you."

"You are the strongest man in Thursley."

"'Tain't that," said Colpus, gratified by the compliment. "'Tis he
might bring the law against me. I don't know nuthin' about law,
though I'm constable, but I reckon, if I was to keep a cow of his
as had strayed and refused to give her up, he could compel me. And
what's true of a cow is true of a wife. If I could be punished for
stealin' his goose I might be summonsed all on account of you. Then
there's the babe--that might be brought in as kidnappin'! I daren't
risk it."

"But, father," put in Polly. "How would it do for a time, just to
try."

"There's something in that, Polly.

"And Julia Caesar have left things in a terrible mess. We must have
all cleared up before another comes in. What if we take Matabel by
the day to clear up?"

"Look here, Polly," said Colpus, who visibly oscillated in mind
between his wishes to engage Mehetabel and his fears as to what the
consequences might be. "It's this," he touched his forehead, an