"The things that are being said, perhaps?" "No, not them. I'm an old woman now, and if I've not got patience at my age, when shall I get it? Good things have happed to me--better than I deserved--and I'm only sorry for them as have had less fortune. I never pay no heed to stories at any time. My master taught me that." "I merely want to tell you that 'tis all true. For my children's sake I should never have told it, but since it had to come I'm right glad." "I'd rather you spared yourself," said Mrs. Baskerville. "You've had enough to bear, I should reckon. Leave it. I've always felt a very great respect for you, and always shall do so; and I've no wish to hear anything about it. Well I know what men are, and what life is. He was lucky--lucky in you and lucky in his brothers. What he took away from me, Humphrey has given back. Now we'll go on as before. Mr. Waite have thrown your maiden over, I hear. What's she going to do?" "Thank you for being kind," answered Mrs. Lintern. "I've been a good deal astonished to find how easily the people have took this thing. The world's a larger-minded place than I, for one, had any idea of. The neighbours, save here and there, seem to be like you, and reckon that 'tis no business of theirs. My son's terrible pleased that it have got out; and the young man who is going to marry Phyllis don't mean to alter his plans. And your brother is glad also, I suppose, for he wished it. But to Cora, this business of being flung over hit her very hard, and she wanted to bring an action for breach of promise against Timothy. She went to see Mr. Popham about it; only he didn't seem to think she'd get much, and advised her to do no such thing." "Why ban't she along with you to-day?" "She won't go nowhere. She'll be off pretty soon to a milliner's to Plymouth. She wants to clear away from everything so quick as may be." "Natural enough. Let her go in a shop somewhere and begin again. My Ned, I may tell you, have found---- "Work, I hope?" "No. Another girl to marry him. It looks as if it might go through this time, though I can't see him really married after all his adventures with the maidens. 'Tis the daughter of the livery-stable keeper at Tavistock. And she's the only one--and King--that's her father's name--worships the ground she goes on. It's like to happen after Christmas. And Ned's been straight about it, and he've broke in a young horse or two very clever for Mr. King, so I suppose he'll let them wed for the girl's sake. He's there to-day." Mrs. Lintern nodded. "Where's May?" she asked. "Away too?" "Only till evening. She's drinking tea along with her Uncle Humphrey at Hawk House." "A strange man he is." "'Tis strange for any man to be so good."