"For that matter, Mrs. Coombes, we've all got one foot in the grave, I think." "That be very true, sir." "And what does your daughter think?" "I believe she thinks the same. And so they go on talking to each other, quiet-like, like old married folks, not like lovers at all, sir. But I can't help fancying it have something to do with my Aggy's pale face." "And something to do with Joe's pale face too, Mrs. Coombes," I said. "Thank you. You've told me more than I expected. It explains everything. I must have it out with Joe now." "O deary me! sir, don't go and tell him I said anything, as if I wanted him to marry my daughter." "Don't you be afraid. I'll take good care of that. And don't fancy I'm fond of meddling with other people's affairs. But this is a case in which I ought to do something. Joe's a fine fellow." "That he be, sir. I couldn't wish a better for a son-in-law." I put on my hat. "You won't get me into no trouble with Joe, will ye, sir!" "Indeed I will not, Mrs. Coombes. I should be doing a great deal more harm than good if I said a word to make him doubt you." I went straight to the church. There were the two men working away in the shadowy tower, and there was Agnes standing beside, knitting like her mother, so quiet, so solemn even, that it did indeed look as if she were a long-married wife, hovering about her husband at his work. Harry was saying something to her as I went in, but when they saw me they were silent, and Agnes gently withdrew. "Do you think you will get through to-night?" I asked. "Sure of it, sir," answered Harry. "You shouldn't be sure of anything, Harry. We are told in the New Testament that we ought to say _If the Lord will_," said Joe. "Now, Joe, you're too hard upon Harry," I said. "You don't think that the Bible means to pull a man up every step like that, till he's afraid to speak a word. It was about a long journey and a year's residence that the Apostle James was speaking." "No doubt, sir. But the principle's the same. Harry can no more be sure of finishing his work before it be dark, than those people could be of going their long journey."