won't thou make some effort to save 'em from wrecking their
lives? Maybe we can't do much, John, but we mun try and do something.
Now, if we can prevent the maister from going away to-night, something
may turn up to-morrow that'll give 'em a chance to talk it over, and
then it may come all reet between 'em once more. As for the train,
lad, if the maister should miss it" (both hands were on his shoulders
now, and her comely head was very near his), "he simply couldn't get
away till to-morrow."

By this time John's face was gloriously radiant, and he was just about
to turn around and promise her anything under the sun, when a shrewd
expression flashed into his eyes, and composing his countenance, he
said, in a somewhat independent, yet nervous tone, as he faced her and
adjusted his now disturbing spectacles: "Er--er, Mary, think o' the
trouble I'd likely get into if I intrigued for the maister to miss the
train; and what should I get for all my trouble? But still, lass, I'm
willing" (the glasses were needing no end of adjusting now) "to do
what I can--that is, of course, on--on condeetions."

A somewhat embarrassed look came across Mary's face as she covertly
glanced at the man of conditions, who was now looking anything but
imposing.

"And what may the condeetions be, Mr. Lawson?" There was a touch of
wonder in her tone.

Mr. Lawson looked past her, again thrust his hands under his
coat-tails, which he waved slowly to and fro like signals of distress,
and said, as he raised his eyebrows and tried to appear perfectly at
ease, "I--I guess thou must remember, Mary."

Evidently Mary's memory was not all that could be desired, for she
shook her head dubiously, and seemed more ill at ease than ever.

Being thus suddenly brought to bay, John did what men generally do
when they are cornered--he rushed into the thick of the battle,
regardless of consequences.

"I axed thee, as thou knows, a year ago," he broke out aggressively,
as he gazed past her, "to have me. Thou didn't say much in reply; but
what thou did say meant No, and now I ax thee once more, wilt thou
have me? I had not meant to ax thee again--though I like thee just the
same. A man like me, lass, has got a little pride, and I don't want to
thrust myself upon any woman. But I mun say that, when I seed how
worked up about the missus thou wert, and about the maister, too,
going away--and hadn't a thow't for me--my feelings did get a little
the best o' me, and I