What did she mean by them? Did she mean that his old woman was going to die? Then he considered if he should tell her, and whether if he did she would believe it, and take to her bed at once, and leave him in quiet possession of the cottage and his own will; somehow his heart leaped at the thought of the latter, although he shook his head sadly while the former flashed through him. "There's mischief abroad somewhere, Mrs. Marks," said he, entering the cottage. "Was when you was out," retorted she; "but it's at home now, and likely to remain so for to-night." "Who was talking of going out? I'm sure I wasn't. I never thought onc't of it, even." "Best not, for you won't as long as I know it. You were drunk enough when the young master passed through the 'pike to last for a precious sight to come; you're not going to make a beast of yourself to-night if I can help it." Mrs. Marks was scrubbing the table down. She was one of those women who, if they have no work to do, make it. She was never idle. Her house, or rather cottage--there were only four rooms in it--was as clean as a new pin; not a speck of dirt to be seen, and as to dust, that was a thing unknown; but then she was always dusting, scrubbing, or sweeping. Matthew hated the very sight of a brush or pail, and would have grumbled if he dared; but he dared not; he was thoroughly henpecked. Had he been a sober man this would not have been the case; but he was not, and he knew it, and she knew it too; and knowing his weak points she had him at her mercy, and little enough she showed him. He answered her fast enough sometimes, but he dared not go in opposition to her will, even when he came reeling home from the Public-house. Appearances were too against him: he being small and thin, she a tall, stout, strong-looking woman. Certainly the scrubbing agreed wonderfully with her, and there seemed little prospect of Goody Grey's prophecy being verified. "Who was it passed through the 'pike, just now?" asked she. "White; as owns the Easdale Farm down yonder, with no more manners than old Jenny out there--the donkey,--she lets her heels fly, but I'm blessed if this chap don't let fly heels and hands both." "Chap!" reiterated Mrs. Marks, "where's your manners? He's a deal above you in the world." "May be. But Goody Grey don't say so. She says he was no better nor a gleaner time gone by." "She!" replied Mrs. Marks, contemptuously. "What does she know about it? She's crazed!" "Crazed! no more nor you and I. She's a wise woman, and knows a deal more than you think." "I am glad of it," said Mrs. Marks sneeringly, "for it's a precious little I think of either her or her sayings." "She went through the 'pike same time as 'other did, and told me all about him." "Why don't you be minding your own business, instead of talking and gossiping with every tom-fool you meet."