Lard o' Hosts graws a bit short in His temper now an' again, as with
them gormed Israelites, an' sich like, an' small blame to Him; but He's
all for mercy at heart, 'cordin' to the opinion of these times, so you'd
best to dig."

"Why doan't he strike me down if I've angered Him--not this innocent
cheel?"

"The sins of the fathers be visited--" began Mr. Blee glibly, when Mrs.
Blanchard interrupted.

"Ban't the time to argue, Will. Do it, an' do it sharp, if't will add
wan grain o' hope to the baaby's chance."

The younger woman's sufferings rose to a frantic half-hushed scream at
the protracted delay.

"O Christ, why for do 'e hold back? Ban't anything worth tryin' for your
awn son? I'd scratch the stone out wi' my raw, bleedin' finger-bones if
I was a man. Do 'e want to send me mad? Do 'e want to make me hate the
sight of 'e? Go--go for love of your mother, if not of me!"

"An' I'll help," said Billy, "an' that chap messin' about in the yard
can lend a hand likewise. I be a cracked vessel myself for strength, an'
past heavy work, but my best is yours to call 'pon in this pass."

Will turned and left the sick-room without more words, while Billy
followed him.

The farmer fetched two picks and a shovel, called Ted Chown and a minute
later had struck the first blow towards restoration of his granite
cross. All laboured with their utmost power, and Will, who had flung off
his coat and waistcoat, bared his arms, tightened his belt, and did the
work of two men. The manual labour sweetened his mind a little, and
scoured it of some bitterness. While Mr. Blee, with many a grunt and
groan, removed the soil as the others broke it away, Blanchard, during
these moments of enforced idleness, looked hungrily at the little window
of the upper chamber where all his hopes and interests were centred.
Then he swung his pick again.

Presently a ray of sunlight brightened Newtake, and contributed to
soothe the toiling father. He read promise into it, and when three feet
below the surface indications of cross-arms appeared upon the stone,
Will felt still more heartened. Grimbal's prediction was now verified;
and it remained only to prove Billy's prophecy also true. His tremendous
physical exertions, the bright setting sunshine, and the discovery of
the cross affected Will strangely. His mind swung round from frank
irreligion, to a sort of superstitious credulity, awestricken yet
joyful, that made him cling to the saving virtue of