"The marriage tie would have held me till death," answered Mehetabel gravely, "if Jonas had not done that which makes it impossible for me to remain. It is not for my sake that I am away. Had I been alone I would have borne all till I died. But I have other duties now. I am a mother. Here is my darling, a charge from God. I owe it to God to do what I am here for--to find another home, a place away from the Punch-Bowl." "What do you mean?" "I cannot explain." "Is the Punch-Bowl unhealthy for the child?" "Yes, it would die there." "Who told you so?" "I know it. My heart says so." "Now look here," said Colpus, getting red as a poppy, "there's a lot of talk in the place about you. Some say that Bideabout is in the wrong, some say that the wrong lies with you. It is reported that he beat you, and there are folks that tell as how you gave him occasion. You must let me know the right of it all, or I can't take you." "Then I must go," said Mehetabel, "I cannot tell you all. You may think ill of me if you choose, I cannot help that." Colpus rubbed his foxy whiskers and head. "You're a won'erful active woman, and do more work than three ordinary gals. I'd like to have you in the house. But then--what am I to say if Kink comes to claim you?" "Say you will not give me up." "But I ain't so sure but what he can force me to surrender you." "You are the strongest man in Thursley." "'Tain't that," said Colpus, gratified by the compliment. "'Tis he might bring the law against me. I don't know nuthin' about law, though I'm constable, but I reckon, if I was to keep a cow of his as had strayed and refused to give her up, he could compel me. And what's true of a cow is true of a wife. If I could be punished for stealin' his goose I might be summonsed all on account of you. Then there's the babe--that might be brought in as kidnappin'! I daren't risk it." "But, father," put in Polly. "How would it do for a time, just to try." "There's something in that, Polly. "And Julia Caesar have left things in a terrible mess. We must have all cleared up before another comes in. What if we take Matabel by the day to clear up?" "Look here, Polly," said Colpus, who visibly oscillated in mind between his wishes to engage Mehetabel and his fears as to what the consequences might be. "It's this," he touched his forehead, and made a sign towards the applicant. "Folk do say it." "Matabel," said the good-natured farmer's daughter, "you go along to Thursley, and father and I will talk it over. If we think we can take you--where shall we send to find you?" "To Betty Chivers' house." "Well, in half an hour I trust we shall have decided. Now go." As Mehetabel withdrew, Polly said, "It's all gammon, father, about her not being right in her head. Her eye is as steady as the evenin' star. And it's all lies about there bein' any fault in her. Matabel is as honest and true as sunlight."