"Please, sir," she said, "I was married when I did not wish it, and when I did not know what I could do, and what was impossible. As the Church married me, can it not undo the marriage, and set me free again?" "Certainly not. What has been joined together cannot be put asunder. It is not impossible to obtain a separation, legally, but you will have to go before lawyers for that." Mehetabel flushed. "I will have nothing to do with lawyers," she said hastily. "You would be required to show good cause why you desire a separation, and then it would be expensive. Have you money?" "Not a penny." "The law in England--everywhere--is only for the rich." "Then is there nothing you can advise?" "Only that you should go home again, and bear what you have to bear as a cross laid on you." "I will never go back." "It is your duty to do so." "I cannot, and will not." "Then, Mrs. Kink, I am afraid the blame of this domestic broil lies on your shoulders quite as much as on those of your husband. Woman is the weaker vessel. Her duty is to endure." "And a separation--" "That is legal only, and unless you can show very good cause why it should be granted, it may be refused. Has your husband beaten you?" "No, but he has spoken to me--" "Words break no bones. I don't think words would be considered. I can't say; I'm no lawyer. But remember--even if separated by law, in the sight of God you would still be one." Mehetabel left, little cheered. As she walked slowly back along the high-road, she was caught up by Betsy Cheel. "Halloo!" said this woman; "where have you been?" Mehetabel told her. "Want to be separated from Jonas, do you? I'm not surprised. I always thought him a bad fellow, but I doubt if he's worse than my man, Jamaica." After a while she said: "We'll walk together. Then we can chat. It's dull going over the Common alone. I've been selling eggs in Milford. They're won'erful dear now; nine a shillin'; but the hens feel the cold, and don't lay this time of the year much. How's the child? You didn't ort to be carryin' it about in this weather and at this time o' the year." "I have nowhere that I can leave it, and its only home is against my heart, in my arms." "You've run away?" "Yes; I shall not go back to Jonas." "I don't call that sense," said Bessy. "If you run away, run away with some one who'll take care of you. That's what I did. My first husband--well, I don't know as he was a proper husband. He called me names, and took the stick to me when drunk; so I went off with Jamaica. That I call reasonable. Ain't you got no one to run away with?"