on. Does it bring thoughts? Is it all sweet? By your
face I should judge not."

She stared and her mouth trembled, but she did not answer.

"You needn't tell me you're happy," he continued, with hurried words.
"Nobody is, for that matter. But you might have been. Looking at your
ruined life and my own, I can find it in my heart to be sorry for us
both."

"Who dares to say my life is ruined?" she flashed out. "D' you think I
would change Will for the noblest in the land? He _is_ the noblest. I
want no pity--least of all yourn. I've been a very lucky
woman--and--everybody knaws it whatever they may say here an' theer."

She was strong before him now; her temper appeared in her voice and she
took her basket and rose to leave him.

"Wait one moment. Chance threw us here, and I'll never speak to you
again if you resent it. But, meeting you like this, something seemed to
tell me to say a word and let you know. I'm sorry you are so
wretched--honestly."

"I ban't wretched! Never was a happier wife."

"Never was a better one, I know; but happy? Think. I was fond of you
once and I can read between the lines--the little thin lines on your
forehead. They are newcomers. I'm not deceived. Nor is it hidden. That
the man has proved faithless is common knowledge now. Facts are hard
things and you've got the fact under your eyes. The child's his living
image."

"Who told you, and how dare you foul my ears and thoughts with such
lies?" she asked, her bosom heaving. "You'm a coward, as you always was,
but never more a coward than this minute."

"D' you pretend that nobody has told you this? Aren't your own eyes
bright enough to see it?"

The man was in a pitiful mood, and now he grew hot and forgot himself
wholly before her stinging contempt. She did not reply to his question
and he continued,--

"Your silence is an answer. You know well enough. Who's the mother?
Perhaps you know that, too. Is she more to him than you are?"

Phoebe made a great effort to keep herself from screaming. Then she
moved hastily away, but Grimbal stopped her and dared her to proceed.

"Wait. I'll have this out. Why don't you face him with it and make him
tell you the truth? Any plucky woman would. The scandal grows into a
disgrace and your father's a fool to stand it. You can tell him so from
me."

"Mind your awn business an' let me pass, you hulking, gert, venomous
wretch!" she cried. Then a blackguard inspiration came to the man, and,
sufferi