It was old Drew. They were not surprised. By this time they were used to the labourer’s visits. Often, in the evening, he would drop in with the excuse of having a talk with Abner, though most of the talking fell to Mary, and then, just as he was on the point of leaving, he would produce from one of the vast pockets in his coat some article of food that he had picked up at the farm. They knew so well this delicate subterfuge! At first Mary had been amused by it, and more than a little touched. Now she only waited impatiently to see what the old man had brought. That night it seemed as if he would never go; but just when they had reached the point when it seemed that the eggs or turnips must appear, he turned to Abner and told him that he had some good news for him. ‘Good news?’ said Abner. ‘It’s a long time since I’ve heard anything of that.’ ‘I was talking about ’ee to Mr Willums,’ said Drew, ‘and told en that you was in a purty bad way. “Well, Drew,” says he, “if it’s as bad as that, I don’t say we mightn’t do something. There do be a heap of stones scattered over the top fields as us might well be rid on. It do be a boy’s work, ’tis true, but Fellows might be glad of it.”’ Mary flushed with pleasure and clasped her hands. ‘I’d be glad of anything,’ said Abner. ‘Well,’ the old man went on, ‘I do reckon that there be no more’n a fortnight’s work there, and a poor, niggling job that’s like to break your back at that. But I thought you’d be glad of it, and I told en so. So up you comes along with me at six o’clock to-morrow morning, for I told en you’d come for sure. Threepence an hour he’ll pay ’ee. That makes twelve shillin’ a week. ’Tis not much, but ’tis something.’ They thanked him without reserve, but he shook his head at them. ‘I don’t know as it’s me you have to thank,’ he said. ‘’Tis your old mother down to the Buffalo as you’d ought to be grateful to. Mr Willums have took it into his head as giving Abner work would make her mazed. He’ve never forgive her over that cider, and never will. He’s a long memory, Mr Willums.’ When he left them Mary was so full of an emotional thankfulness that she could not speak. Abner went to bed cheerfully. She heard him whistling in his room above her.