The affair was the talk of Cornwall for some time--at least, that part of Cornwall--and most people thought my father would be hanged. The magistrates, who knew the Penningtons and liked them, however, did not allow this; but he had to pay Tresidder a sum of money which, unless he were helped, meant his utter ruin. Again had Richard Tresidder and his mother, who, I believe, was behind all this, got the upper hand of my father, and again by unfair means. Was it a wonder, then, that Jasper Pennington should regard them as enemies? Was it any wonder that I, when I came to know about these things, should feel bitterly? After the sentence was passed my father, wondering what to do, went to see Betsey Fraddam, the witch. "Betsey," said my father, "tell the truth about my cattle. You can't harm me, because I'm the oldest son, indeed the only son, but I can harm you. Did Tresidder hire you to ill-wish the cattle?" "Jasper," said Betsey, "ded 'ee bait un--ded 'ee bait un, now, right bad? Zay you ded, now." "Yes, I did," said my father. "I'm glad the two men came up, or I should have murder on my conscience, and that's not right, even when the man is your enemy." "But you ded bait un! Aw! aw! Jasper; ther's they that can kill, an' ther's they that can cure. Some can do both." "You can, Betsey." "P'raps I can, Jasper. Ave 'ee seed my boy Eli, Jasper?" "No," replied my father. "Then come in and zee un--come in, Jasper," and she led the way into the cottage. My father, who told me this years after, said he should never forget the curious feeling that came over him as he saw Betsey Fraddam's son. He looked even as a child like an old man, and he had a wild look in his eyes that made him shudder. "He 'ed'n wot you may call a purty cheeld, es a, then?" asked Betsey. My father did not reply. "Well, we ca'ant expect for Betsey Fraddam to 'ave purty cheldern, can us, then?" My father was still silent, for Betsey had a strange way with her that made people afraid. Even I can remember that. "You may have a son some day, Jasper." "No," said my father. "But you may," said Betsey, "you may; I do'ant main nothin' wrong, Jasper. Margaret Quethiock es well off, and her father do oan the Barton. Think about it, Jasper. And then ef you do ever have a son, you'll tell 'im to be kind to Eli, wa'ant 'ee now, Jasper?" "Yes," said my father, wondering all the time why he should give the promise. And that was all the conversation they had together at that time, for my father told me, and he was always a truthful man. But his cattle got better from that time, and as Mr. Quethiock, of Falmouth, lent him L300 he was able to tide over his difficulty.