Dinah returned a few minutes later and she expressed a desire to go to Ponsworthy; but Mrs. Bamsey's prediction was correct: her work with the Bassetts must be that of a nurse and no more. "Providence haven't spoke yet then," said Mr. Bamsey; "but as Arthur very truly says, we've reached a point when we may fairly count to hear a seasonable word afore long; and doubtless we shall do." Mr. Chaffe presently went home. But for all his smooth speeches, none knew better than he where the fret and difficulty began; and he was aware that it would never end while Dinah remained at Green Hayes. "If nought's done, in less than no time, she'll make a bolt," he reflected. "She's that sort of woman; and for all us can say, it may be the will of Providence to cut the knot in that manner. I hope not, however, for 'twould be a bitter blow to Ben and fill his old age with sorrow." He was so impressed with this dark possibility that he decided to see Dinah at the first opportunity and warn her against it. "A very curious, puzzling thing," thought Mr. Chaffe, "that the price for well-doing be often stiffer than the price for bad. But the good man should keep in mind that the credit side be growing for all he suffers. If we can't trust the recording angel's book-keeping, who should we trust? The wicked may flourish like the green bay; but the end of the green bay be fire, come soon, or come late." He passed a neighbour in the darkness going home and published his reflection. "Be that you, Nicholas Gaunter? So it is then. And here, on my way, I was filled with a great thought, Nicholas." Mr. Gaunter--a hedge tacker of low repute--had drunk too much beer; but not too much not to know it. He concealed his error and Arthur failed to observe the truth. "A oner for thoughts you be, Mr. Chaffe," he said. "Yes--they come; and it just flashed over my mind, Nicholas, that goodness breeds life and a good deed can't perish out of the land; but the payment of evil is death--sure and certain." "Only if you done a murder," said Mr. Gaunter. "Pass on, Nicholas, pass on. The thought be too deep for your order of mind I'm afraid," replied the older man. CHAPTER XIII JOE ON ECONOMICS On a June evening Lawrence Maynard fell in with Dinah at Buckland, near the cottage of the old huntsman. Accident was responsible for their meeting, and they had not seen each other since the girl's engagement was at an end. Now the cowman was on his way to spend an evening with Enoch Withycombe, while Dinah intended to visit Falcon Farm and beg Susan and Mr. Stockman to interest themselves on her account and find her work. "I can't get anything to do that will pleasure foster-father," she said. "He's so hard to please where I'm concerned, and he don't quite see so plain as I do that it's bad for me and everybody else my biding there." "I dare say it is." "Where's your black armlet what you wore for your dead master in Somerset?" she asked.