'To be sure I do. The thing is as plain as a pike-staff.' 'I wish I could be as sure of it as you are.' 'Why, it's common sense. Willie will see it himself, and make up his mind, now that it is put before him properly--that is, if he is as sensible as he ought to be after the learning he got from you.' 'But I haven't made up my own mind,' said my dear old master. 'Brother, I am surprised at you. What would you have? You can't keep faith with a dead man, and I'm sure he wouldn't wish it himself. Cuthbert Franklyn was an open-hearted generous lad, when I remember him, and would have been the last to stand in the way of Willie's welfare. No, Willie's present duty is to make little Hildred Clifford happy, not to keep a fanciful promise that had much better never have been made at all.' 'I protest I think Janet is right,' said Master Caleb. 'I do indeed. The more I think of it the more sensible it seems.' They went on strengthening each other in the opinion they had formed, while I listened with a beating heart, hearing Mrs. Janet assert, and my master agree with her, that it was my bounden duty to set aside the past. The turning of the tide had come at length. I looked towards Dorothy, sitting somewhat apart beside the fire. She had not spoken, but once or twice had raised her eyes quickly from her work. Latterly she had laid it down on her lap, as if to listen more carefully, and was looking thoughtfully from one to the other as they spoke. Master Caleb followed the direction of my eyes. 'Do you want to know what she thinks?' he said, brightening up. 'If she would be so kind.' 'Dorothy,' he called. She came nearer and laid her hand on his shoulder. 'Willie wants your advice, and your help Dorothy.' She hesitated a little, and looked at Mrs. Janet, who nodded to her, and said-- 'Well, speak up child!' 'But Janet must know so much better than I do,' Dorothy began. 'Bless me!' Mrs. Janet broke in. 'Why, you are not going to say Dorothy, child, that you don't think of it as I do.' 'I thought,' Dorothy began again, and then stopped. 'There can be no two ways about it,' said Mrs. Janet, knitting faster. 'Go on, Dorothy,' said her husband watching her. 'I don't like seeming to set myself up against Janet,' she said, with her frank smile. 'Is that all?' Mrs. Janet patted her shoulder. 'Always know your mind, my dear, and speak it. I am going into the window to turn the heel of my stocking, and I shan't hear you. So say your say, child, and don't think of me--not that there can be two ways about it, all the same, you know.' Dorothy turned round to me quickly. 'You want to know what I think?' I said if she pleased I did indeed. 'Then, Willie, remember Cuthbert's trust in you, remember your promise, and help Hildred to keep hers.' There was a short silence. 'You know there is every reason to believe Cuthbert Franklyn to be dead,' said Master Caleb, in a low voice.