"Who shall tell what may be the efficacy of a good man's blessing," said Mr Swallowlies, dipping his finger reverently in the cow's drinking trough, and touching his forehead. "Do you know, Miss Blazer, if it still retains its virtue?" "I believe epileptic patients are still brought to the spring," replied Araminta, "and I have heard that the old woman in that little hut on the hill-side has seen several cures." "I will make her acquaintance this moment," exclaimed Swallowlies. "I think it a privilege to look on a matron who has witnessed so remarkable a manifestation. Will you go with me, Rowdy?" "No, I have no great faith in the fountain." "Why not?" "Because it is a sufficient effort for the human mind to have faith in one or two points of far greater importance." "But you needn't make any effort at all. Take it on the assurance of the Church," said Swallowlies persuasively. "We have, indeed, cut ourselves off from a declaration of our belief in the power of saints like the holy Toper; but we can surely entertain the belief, though we are debarred from making public profession of it. And, in fact, any one who believes in miracles at all must equally believe that this spring will cure epileptic fits." "Exactly as I say," responded Rowdy; "all miracles are equally credible." "Then come to the old woman," said Swallowlies, taking his arm. "No," said Mr Rowdy, "I have lately had great doubts as to my own identity, and I am going to try some experiments to see whether I am now the same person I was when I signed the articles, and did duty in my parish." Mr Swallowlies, however, and the rest of us, with the exception of Captain Smith, walked to old Janet Wheedler's cottage, while Rowdy entered on his course of experimental philosophy. We found her nicely dressed, as if in expectation of our coming; and as the spring, with its capabilities for a pic-nic and its ancient associations, was a source of considerable revenue to her, she evidently was greatly pleased with the number of guests whom she saw approaching her door. "_Pax vobiscum!_" said Mr Swallowlies, as we entered the cottage. "You reside here in highly favoured ground." "Yes, indeed, sir," said Janet, "the gentlefolks be very fond of it, and very often come here from all parts about." "Only the gentlefolks?" inquired her visitor. "I thought I heard that others came to avail themselves of the holy spring." "Some folks don't believe in it now, sir--more's the pity. It was of great value in the old time." "Why should it lose its virtue, Mrs Wheedler? If we had still the faith, it would have still the power." Janet looked towards Mr Swallowlies, to judge whether he was in jest or earnest; but, on catching the face of wonderment with which he gazed at the well, and the unmistakable sincerity with which he spoke, the old woman, who had been a fortune-teller in her youth, involuntarily winked her blear eye, and curled up the corners of her mouth.