And with this he went out into the chill air of midnight. When he got away from the shadow of the tavern, he stopped and looked up at the stars, and then he looked down upon the earth. "Aye," he muttered, grinding his heel in the gravel, "Peter Tindar is taking the kernel, and leaving poor Ellen the worthless husk,--a husk more than worthless! and I am helping him do it. I am robbing my wife of joy, robbing my dear children of honor and comfort, and robbing myself of love and life--just that Peter Tindar may have the kernel, and Ellen the husk! We'll see!" It was a revelation to the man. The tavern-keeper's speech, not meant for his ears, had come on his senses as fell the voice of the Risen One upon Saul of Tarsus. "We'll see!" he said, setting his foot firmly upon the ground; and then he wended his way homeward. On the following morning he said to his wife, "Ellen, have you any coffee in the house?" "Yes, Tom." She did not tell him that her sister had given it to her. She was glad to hear him ask for coffee, instead of the old, old cider. "I wish you would make me a cup, good and strong." There was really music in Tom's voice, and the wife set about her work with a strange flutter at her heart. Tom drank two cups of the strong fragrant coffee, and then went out, with a resolute step, and walked straight to the great manufactory, where he found Mr. Scott in his office. "Mr. Scott, I want to learn my trade over again." "Eh, Tom, what do you mean?" "I mean that it's Tom Darcy come back to the old place, asking forgiveness for the past, and hoping to do better in the future." "Tom," cried the manufacturer, starting forward and grasping his hand, "are you in earnest? Is it really the old Tom?" "It's what's left of him, sir, and we'll have him whole and strong very soon, if you'll only set him at work." "Work! Aye, Tom, and bless you, too. There is an engine to be set up and tested to-day. Come with me." Tom's hands were weak and unsteady, but his brain was clear, and under his skilful supervision the engine was set up and tested; but it was not perfect. There were mistakes which he had to correct, and it was late in the evening when the work was complete. "How is it now, Tom?" asked Mr. Scott, as he came into the testing-house and found the workmen ready to depart. "She's all right, sir. You may give your warrant without fear." "God bless you, Tom! You don't know how like music the old voice sounds. Will you take your old place again?" "Wait till Monday morning, sir. If you will offer it to me then, I will take it."