He plumped himself into a chair directly, to take one on each knee. Then Sage and Rue busied themselves in taking off pelisses and woollen leggings, and reducing the little things into a less rounded shape, while John sat as stolid and serious as a judge, evidently being very proud of his two little ones, as he was of his handsome young wife. "And now, John, you'd like a tankard of ale, wouldn't you?" cried Sage. "Well, I don't know," said John, quietly; "a mug of squire's ale is nice, if Luke there will have one too." "Oh! I'll join," said Luke, heartily; and, after drawing it, Sage went up with Rue to her room, and she began to tease her about Luke, but ended with an affectionate embrace. "I'd marry him any time, dear," she said, "for I think he's a good fellow, and if you are as happy as I am with dear old John you will be satisfied." "But uncle has said that it is not to be till Luke has five hundred a year," said Sage, dreamily, "and that will not be for a long time; and-- and, Rue, dear," she faltered, "I--I don't think I feel quite happy about it." "Stuff and nonsense, Sagey! Uncle will come round. He wants to see us quite happy." "But you misunderstand me, dear," said Sage, thoughtfully. "I mean that I'm half afraid I'm not doing right in letting Luke Ross believe I love him, because--because--" "Because--because you are a goose," cried Rue, merrily. "I felt just the same about John, and was ready to break it off, and now I think him the dearest and best fellow under the sun. Sage, dear." "Yes, Rue." "You are in the sugar-plum stage just now, and don't know your own mind. I like Luke Ross. He's frank and straightforward. Don't play with him, for he's a man to be trusted, and you're lucky to have him care for you." "Yes, I suppose so," said Sage, dreamily; "but it is not to be for a long time yet." As she spoke she was thinking of the past, and her sister's love affair with Frank Mallow, who used to follow her whenever she was out for a walk; and then about the trouble at the rectory, when Frank Mallow went off all on a sudden. Of how poor Rue was nearly heartbroken, and used to tell Sage that she would go after him if he sent for her; but he never even wrote to her in spite of all his professions; and then they learned how badly he had behaved; and after that Rue never mentioned his name but in a quiet subdued way, and at her uncle's wish accepted John Berry--a man of sterling qualities--and she had grown brighter and happier ever since she had been his wife. The final preparations were made and the table spread long before the Churchwarden and his wife came back, with the chaise loaded up, and Mrs Portlock protesting that she would never go again if Joseph took a whip. The culprit chuckled as Sage helped him with his overcoat, shouting orders all the while to Luke and John Berry, who were busy bringing in the load of parcels till it seemed wonderful how they could all have been packed into the chaise.