"On it went with a swingin' sort of roll, and I wondered, and followed on in spite of myself. 'Seven o'clock; hear the good news!' What good news was there in being told to be born again? Nonsense! this warn't any good news as I could see. I'd a deal sooner they'd have told me where I could ha' got a bit more work. That's what would ha' been good news to me, I thought. But I went with 'em, for all that; and the end of it all was, that I _was_ born again! That very night I got into a new sort o' man. I left all the old things far away behind--'as far as the east is from the west,' the man who preached said, and I got instead such a white robe to cover me over, as made me feel whiter than the snow they sang about. And that's how I came to be different--just washed in the Blood of the Lamb!" "I know what that means too," Meg had answered softly. "I knew you did," he had said. And then they did not speak again till they parted at the Hall gates. "So, though I'm naught but a workman, you can put up with me, Meg?" he asked, the day before he was going away, and the repairs were finished. [Illustration: "Dickie," she whispered, as Jem paused, "don't yer like to hear about Jesus? That's the Good Shepherd what I've told you about, as loves the little lambs."--p.38.] And she answered by putting her hand into his. "One thing I can promise you," he said: "that as long as God gives me strength I'll work for you, Meg!" "And after that I'll work for _you_!" she answered, while two tears glittered in her eyes. In three months' time Meg left the sweet country and the great Hall, and her mother and young sister, and went to London to make Jem happy. Mrs. MacDonald gave her a nice wedding breakfast, and much good advice, and Meg entered on her new life as we have seen, full of hope and peace. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER IV. ROYAL CHILDREN. "You didn't think as I was near you this afternoon, did you?" asked Jem, when he came in to his tea, a few days after their marriage. "No, indeed," answered Meg, looking up; "were you?" "Yes; you know the court what runs up under these houses, first turnin' on the right?" "I think I do." "Well, one of them houses. My master has the job to repair them a bit; they're goin' to change hands, I believe, and so I shall be about here a good while before they're done." "I wish I'd known; then I'd have watched for you," said Meg. "Would you? Well, my dear, I don't know as it will make much difference, only for knowing as we're near each other, because I never do use myself to leave my work, for nothing." "Ah! no," answered Meg. He sat down to the table, and after he had asked a blessing they began their meal; but Jem was unusually preoccupied. Meg was not an old enough wife to understand all her husband's moods, and supposed he was tired with his day's work. "Meg," he said suddenly, "I suppose we haven't such a thing as an old blanket?" Meg looked rather astonished.