best so. You see this poor child be breedin' trouble,
an' bringing bad talk against Will. He ban't wanted--little Timothy--an'
I ban't wanted overmuch, so it comed to me I'd--I'd just slip away out
of the turmoil an' taake Tim. Then--"

She stopped, for her heart was beating so fast that she could speak no
more. She remembered her own arguments in the recent past,--that this
flight must tell all who cared to reflect that the child was her own.
Now she looked up at Martin to see if he had guessed it. But he
exhibited extreme self-control and she was reassured.

"Just like your thoughtful self to try and save others from sorrow.
Where are you going to, Chris? Don't tell me more than you please; but I
may be useful to you on this, the first stage of the journey."

"To Okehampton to-night. To-morrow--but I'd rather not say any more. I
don't care so long as you think I'm right."

"I haven't said that yet. But I'll go as far as Zeal with you. Then
we'll get a covered cab or something. We may reach the village before
rain."

"No call for your coming. 'Tis awnly a short mile."

"But I must. I'll carry the laddie. Poor little man! Hard to be the
cause of such a bother."

He picked Timothy up so gently that the child did not wake.

"Now," he said, "come along. You must be tired already."

"How gude you be!" she said wearily. "I'm glad you doan't scold or fall
into a rage wi' me, for I knaw I'm right. The bwoy's better away, and
I'm small use to any now. But I can be busy with this little wan. I
might do worse than give up my life to un--eh, Martin?"

Then some power put words in his mouth. He trembled when he had spoken
them, but he would not have recalled them.

"You couldn't do better. It's a duty staring you in the face."

She started violently, and her dark skin flamed under the night.

"Why d'you say that?" she asked, with loud, harsh voice, and stopping
still as she did so. "Why d'you say 'duty'?"

He, too, stood and looked at her.

"My dear," he answered, "love's a quick, subtle thing. It can make even
such a man as I am less stupid than Nature built him. It fires dull
brains; it adds sight to dim eyes; it shows the bookworm how to find out
secrets hidden from keener spirits; it lifts a veil from the loved one
and lets the lover see more than anybody else can. Be patient with me. I
spoke because I love you still with all my heart and soul, Chris; I
spoke, because what I feel for you is lifelong, and cannot