"I'm very glad to hear your news, George," replied Hetty. "Now if you won't keep me any longer I'll make you some plum duff for dinner." "That's a good girl--you know my weakness." The man went up to her where she stood, and put one of his great arms round her neck. "Look at me, Hetty," he said. "What is it, George?" She raised her full, dark eyes. He gazed down into their depths, anxiously. "Are you a bit better, lass?" he asked, a tender intonation in his gruff voice. "Pain in the side any less bad?" "Yes, George, I feel much better." "Well, I'm glad of that," he said slowly. "Now you look well at me. Don't you take your eyes off me while I'm a-speaking. I've been counting the days. I mark 'em down on the back of the fowl-house door with a bit of chalk; and it's forty days and more since you gave me the least little peck of a kiss, even. Do you think you could give me one now?" She raised her lips, slowly. He could not but perceive her unwillingness, and a wave of crimson swept up over his face. "I don't want that sort," he said, flinging his arm away and moving a step or two back from her. "There, I ain't angry; I ain't no call to be angry; you were honest with me afore we wed. You said plain as girl could speak, 'I ain't got the least bit of love for you, George,' and I took you at your word; but sometimes, Het, it seems as if it 'ud half kill me, for I love you better every day and every hour." "I know you're as good a fellow as ever breathed," said Hetty; "and I like you even though I don't love you. I'll try hard to be a good wife to you, George, I will truly." "You're main pleased about Squire, I take it?" "I am main pleased." "'Tw'ere a pity the little chap were took so sudden-like." "I s'pose so," said Hetty. "You are a queer girl, Hetty. I never seed a woman less fond o' children than you." "Well, I ain't got any of my own, you understand," said Hetty. "I understand." The farmer uttered a huge laugh. "I guess I do," he said. "I wish to God you had a child, Hetty; maybe you'd love it, and love its father for its sake." With a heavy sigh the man turned and left the dairy. The moment she found herself alone, Hetty flew to the door and locked it. Then standing in the middle of the spotless room she pressed her two hands wildly to her brow.