an' bring a drop to my eye," confessed
Mr. Blee. "An' you--why, theer 's a baaby hid away in the New Year for
you--a human creature as may do gert wonders in the land an' turn out
into Antichrist, for all you can say positive. Theer 's a braave thought
for 'e!"

This remark sobered Blanchard and his mind travelled into the future, to
Phoebe, to the child coming in June.

Billy babbled on, and presently they reached Mrs. Blanchard's cottage.
Damaris herself, with a shawl over her head, stood and listened to the
bells, and Will, taking leave of Mr. Blee, hastened to wish his mother
all happiness in the year now newly dawned. He walked once or twice up
and down the little garden beside her, and with a tongue loosened by
liquor came near to telling her of his approaching action, but did not
do so. Meantime Mr. Blee steered himself with all caution over Rushford
Bridge to Monks Barton.

Presently the veteran appeared before his master and Phoebe, who had
waited for the advent of the New Year before retiring. Miller Lyddon was
about to suggest a night-cap for Billy, but changed his mind.

"Enough 's as gude as a feast," he said. "Canst get up-stairs wi'out
help?"

"Coourse I can! But the chap to the 'Green Man's' that perfuse wi' his
liquor at seasons of rejoicing. More went down than was chalked up; I
allow that. If you'll light my chamber cannel, I'll thank 'e, missis;
an' a Happy New Year to all."

Phoebe obeyed, launched Mr. Blee in the direction of his chamber, then
turned to receive Will's caress as he came home and locked the door
behind him.

The night air still carried the music of the bells. For an hour they
pealed on; then the chime died slowly, a bell at a time, until two
clanged each against the other. Presently one stopped and the last,
weakening softly, beat a few strokes more, then ceased to fret the
frosty birth-hour of another year.

The darkness slipped away, and Blanchard who had long learned to rise
without awakening his wife, was up and dressed again soon after five
o'clock. He descended silently, placed a letter on the mantelpiece in
the kitchen, abstracted a leg of goose and a hunch of bread from the
larder, then set out upon a chilly walk of five miles to Moreton
Hampstead. From there he designed to take train and proceed to Plymouth
as directly and speedily as possible.

Some two hours later Will's letter found itself in Mr. Lyddon's hand,
and his father-in-law learnt the secret. Phoebe w