ill I
seed you in your weeds eight year agone."

"Eight year a widow! An' so I have been. Well, Blee, you've got a
powerful command of words, anyways. That I'll grant you."

"'T is the gert subject, Mary."

He moved nearer and put down his hat and stick; she exhibited
trepidation, not wholly assumed. Then she helped herself to more
spirits.

"A drop I must have to steady me. You men make a woman's heart go
flutterin' all over her buzzom, like a flea under her--"

She stopped and laughed, then drank. Presently setting down the glass
again, she leered in a manner frankly animal at Mr. Blee, and told him
to say what he might have to say and be quick about it. He fired a
little at this invitation, licked his lips, cleared his throat, and cast
a nervous glance or two at the window. But nobody appeared; no
thunder-visaged Lezzard frowned over the geraniums. Gaffer indeed was
sound asleep, half a mile off, upon one of those seats set in the open
air for the pleasure and convenience of wayfarers about the village. So
Billy rose, crossed to the large sofa whereon Mrs. Coomstock sat,
plumped down boldly beside her and endeavoured to get his arm round the
wide central circumference of her person. She suffered this courageous
attempt without objection. Then Billy gently squeezed her, and she
wriggled and opened her mouth and shut her eyes.

"Say the word and do a wise thing," he urged. "Say the word, Mary, an'
think o' me here as master, a-keeping all your damn relations off by
word of command."

She laughed.

"When I be gone you'll see some sour looks, I reckon."

"Nothing doan't matter then; 't is while you 'm here I'd protect 'e
'gainst 'em. Look, see! ban't often I goes down on my knees, 'cause a
man risin' in years, same as me, can pray to God more dignified sittin';
but now I will." He slid gingerly down, and only a tremor showed the
stab his gallantry cost him.

"You 'm a masterful auld shaver, sure 'nough!" said Mrs. Coomstock,
regarding Billy with a look half fish like, half affectionate.

"Rise me up, then," he said. "Rise me up, an' do it quick. If you love
me, as I see you do by the faace of you, rise me up, Mary, an' say the
word wance for all time. I'll be a gude husband to 'e an' you'll bless
the day you took me, though I sez it as shouldn't."

She allowed her fat left hand, with the late Mr. Coomstock's
wedding-ring almost buried in her third finger, to remain with Billy's;
and by the aid of it and t