"My!" she commented, "wouldn't I just like to have seen Jim throw that gamekeeper head over heels. He's a proper man is Jim. And so 'twas he after all rescued the poor girl from the brute's clutches. Not but what she deserved what she got--what does she want trolloping about at Fairs and Wakes? Why can't she stop at home and earn her living like a decent body?" "Oh! Ruth," I protested. "Oh! you may 'Oh! Ruth' me; but it's there all the same. She's no better than she should be, I'st warrant. Men don't go mauling lasses about in that fashion unless they've been led up to it by th' girls themselves I know their artful ways," she added vindictively. "And I suppose Jim's head over heels in love with the girl. It always happens so in th' story-books." "I don't think Jim's given a second thought to her," I hastened to assure her, for I saw which way the cat jumped "It's me," I added lamely, stammering and blushing like the booby I felt. "You, you!" she cried. "Oh! Abel, what will father say? I'll be bound that's what he was driving at with his Midianitish woman, and I thought it as that girl down at Slaithwaite. Somebody's been filling his ears with a fine tale." "Let's hope not," I said, affecting a cheerfulness I was far from feeling. "But, father or no father, I'm going to get Miriam away from those Burnplatts riff-raff if it's to be done by hook or crook. A man's not a pig if he chances to have been born in a stye, and Miriam's a good girl, Burnplatter or no Burnplatter. And I want you to help me, Ruth. I'm hard hit, sis, and that's the truth o' 't." Now, I suppose there never was maiden yet born into this world who has not revelled in a love story. You've only to look at the dear creatures as they crowd round a church door at a wedding to make sure of that. The sight of a white veil and orange blossoms sets their sweet hearts all of a quiver. They're so in love with love that if they haven't a romance of their own they're quick to enter into another's, and if the course of true love doesn't run smooth it's not for want of willing help to straighten the way. And I dare say my astute sister may have reflected that one good turn deserves another, and that she herself might have need of a brother's backing in the days to come. Anyhow, though with many a discouraging shake of her clever little head, she promised me to do what she could to win to speech with Miriam and help me to my heart's desire. Though what she could do she avowed she failed to see.