"Hulloa!" cried a voice, as the latch of the door was lifted, and a stout strong-looking man entered with a good-humoured, cheerful face. "Anybody at home? How are you Mrs. Marks? I'm glad to see you again, and you too," he said, grasping and shaking Matthew's hand heartily. "It's William Hodge of Deane!" said she in surprise, "Who'd have thought of seeing you down here, and what brings you to these parts?" "Business," replied the other laconically. "Something to do with the Smithy, eh?" questioned Matthew. "Just so." "You still keep it on, of course." "Of course." "There don't stand there cross-examining in that way," called Mrs. Marks, as she opened a cupboard at the further end of the room, "but attend to your own business, and just go and draw some ale, while I get a bit of bread and cheese ready. Supper won't be served up yet," said she apologetically, returning and spreading a clean snow white cloth on the table; "but you must want a mouthful of something after your long journey." "I can't wait supper, I'm in too great a hurry; thank yer all the same." "Are you going further on?" asked Matthew, coming in with the ale. "No. I'm to put up at the Brampton Arms for the night, or may be two--or perhaps three," he replied. "I'm sorry for that," said Mrs. Marks. "I hate the very name of the place. They're a bad set, the whole lot of 'em." "That don't signify a rap to me. I shan't have nothing to do with any of 'em so long as they let's me alone, that's all I care about. I shan't trouble 'em much 'cept for my bed." "And now for a bit of news about home," said Mrs. Marks, as her visitor began his supper, or rather the bread and cheese she had set before him. "How are they all down at Deane? And how's mother?" "I'm sorry to say I've no good news of her; she've been ailing some time, and the doctor's stuff don't do her no good; he says she'll go off like the snuff of a candle. But there, she's precious old now, and well nigh worn out. I've a letter from your sister Martha--Mrs. Brooks--telling yer all about it;" and he searched and dived into his deep pockets for it, and then handed it to her. "Is Jane as queer as ever?" asked Matthew, in a low voice, as his wife was perusing the letter. "Yes, worse nor ever, I think; scarce ever opens her lips, and stares at yer awful, as though she had the evil eye." "I always thought she had; she wor as strange a woman as ever I set eyes on." "Well!" said Mrs. Marks, looking up from her letter, "I suppose I must say yes. Perhaps you'll just look in, Mr. Hodge, when the time comes for you to go back to Deane, and I'll give you the answer." "I won't fail," replied he. "What are yer going to say yes to?" asked Matthew. "Martha says mother's dying, and she wants to know what's to become of Jane, and if she can't come here." "Here!" exclaimed Matthew. "The Lord save us." "Save you from what?" asked Mrs. Marks angrily.