"Didn't seem like it, sir. I tried till I was beat out, and then, in a kind of despairing fit, I went out with some of the lads, and you know what I got for my pains." "Yes," said the doctor, "and it ought to be a lesson for you, Hayle." "Yes, sir, it ought; but you see, once a man takes to that kind of work it's hard to keep from it." "But, my good fellow, you may be laid by the heels in gaol at any time. I wondered you were not taken over that affair." "So I should have been, if I'd had any other doctor, sir," said Hayle, with a meaning smile, "and the police had been a little sharper. But you didn't chatter, and our fellows didn't, and so I got off." "But think, now; you, the father of a young girl like Miss Hayle, what would her feelings be if you were sent to prison like that young fellow--what's his name--was." "Caleb Kent, sir?" "Yes. What's become of him? I haven't seen him lately." "Racketing about somewhere, sir. Me and him had a quarrel or two about my Judith. He was always hanging after her; and it got so bad, at last, that I promised him a charge o' shot in his jacket if he ever came anigh our place again. He saw I meant it, sir, and he has left the poor girl in peace." "Well, I must be off, Hayle." "Thankye for calling, sir. Been to see the old mother-in-law?" "Yes; she keeps wonderfully well." "You mean you keep her wonderfully well, sir. Poor old girl, she's not a bad one in her way." "No, and there's nothing the matter with her but old age." "Hear that the missus is coming back to The Warren, sir?" "Yes, and that the Brackley people are on their way too. Look here, Hayle, shall I put in a word for you to Sir John?" "No thankye, doctor, let me bide; things 'll come right in time. Think there'll be a wedding at the Hall, now, sir? They tell me Miss Day's got well and strong again." "I've enough to do with my people when they want me, Hayle," said the doctor, drily, "and I never interfere about their private matters; but, as you ask me that question, I should say decidedly not." The ex-keeper smiled, as if the doctor's words coincided with his own thoughts, and he stood watching Oldroyd, as he rode off, getting a peep at Judith seated by the window working hard as he went by, the girl's face looking pale and waxen in the shade. "Fretting a bit, by the look of her, and those dark rings," said Oldroyd, as he rode away. "How much happier a place the world would be if there were no marrying and giving in marriage--no making love at all. Causes more worry, I think, than the drink." Volume 3, Chapter XI. DRAWN TOGETHER. "Well, dearest," said Mrs Rolph, "have you been all round?" Rolph, who was leaning back in his chair in the library at The Warren, reading a sporting paper, uttered a growl. "Not satisfactory, dear?"