Before dinner was eaten, however, she had decided that her husband must know the truth. Even her desire toward the money cooled before the prospect of treachery to him. Fear had something to do with this decision, but the woman's own principles were strong. It is unlikely that in any case they would have broken down. She sent Joan on an errand to the village after the meal was ended; and upon her departure addressed her husband hurriedly. "You said I was 'mazed to dinner, an' so I was. I've gotten bad news for 'e, Michael, touchin' Joan." "No more o' that, mother," he answered, "I've talked wi' she an' said a word in season. She'm well in body an' be gwaine to turn a new leaf, so theer's an end o' the matter." "'Tedn' so," she declared, "I've bin in the gal's room an' I've found--but you bide here an' I'll bring 'em to 'e. Hold yourself back, Michael, for us caan't say nothin' sure till us knaws the truth from Joan." "She've tawld me the truth out a walkin' an' I've shawed her the narrer path. What should you find?" "Money--no lil come-by-chance neither; more money than ever you or me seed in our born days afore or shall agin." "You'm dreamin', wummon!" he said. "God knaws I wishes it weer so," she answered, and went once more to Joan's room. Gray Michael was walking up and down the kitchen when she returned, and Thomasin said nothing, but put money and picture upon the table. Her husband fought with himself a moment, as it appeared, then seemed to pray a while, standing still with his hand pressed over his eyes, and finally sat himself down beside the things which Thomasin had brought. "I'd no choice but to tell 'e," she said. Gray Michael's eyes were on the picture and utter astonishment appeared in them. "Why! 'tis Joe Noy's ship. Us seed her off the islands, outward bound! He might 'a' gived it her hisself surely?" "But t'other thing; the money. Count them notes. Noy never gived Joan them." He spread the parcel, counted the money, and sat back thunderstruck. "God in heaven! A thousan' pound, an' notes as never went through no dirty hands neither! What do it mean?" "How should I tell what it means? I found the whole fortune hid beneath her smickets. Lard knaws how she comed by it. What have the likes o' she to give for money?" "What do 'e mean by that?" he blazed out, rising to his feet and clinching his fists. "Ax your darter. Do 'e think I'd dare to say a word onless I was sartain sure? You'd smash me, your own wife, if I weer wrong, like enough. I ban't wrong. Joan's wi' cheel or I never was. Maybe that thraws light on the money, maybe it doan't. I did pray as it might 'a' comed out to be her man at sea. But you'll find it weern't. God help 'e, Michael, my heart do bleed for 'e. Can 'e find it in 'e to be merciful same as the Lard in like case, or--?"