"In a fortnight then. Thursday’s always David’s morning for Tavistock; so this day fortnight we’ll meet again, unless anything falls out to prevent it. And I won’t be idle. But I mustn’t frighten her; and she’s easily frighted when men are concerned. Fellows drop in of a night often to speak to David; but nine times out of ten, if she’s to home, she’ll pick up her work and pop up to her chamber, or take her hat and away out of the house by the back door." "Never was such another, I believe. All the same, I’m a hopeful fashion of man. I’ll win her yet, with your help." "I do trust so, Bartley." Silence fell between them, only broken by the hiss of the wind above their heads. "I must get back-along now," she said at length. "How goes on Mrs. Crocker? Better, I hope?" He shook his head but did not reply. "I shall come to see her again next week, if I may." "Do, and welcome, Madge. Strange how illness breaks down the pride and shows the naked truth of a man or woman. She’s frightened to think of dying--her that you might have said was frightened of nothing." "And still frightened of nothing really. ’Tisn’t this world that frights her, nor yet the next--only the link snapping between. There’s a lot like that." He changed the subject again and followed her eyes that had roamed across the valley once more. "You’re looking at Screech’s house," he said. "I hope this thing they tell about isn’t true?" "I hope not, Bartley, but I think it is." "And if it is? However, it don’t become a giddy bachelor to make light of it. Only you’ll hear such a devil of a lot on the other side, that perhaps before long you’ll be thankful to find one here and there who can keep his nerve about it." "Yes, I shall hear enough about it--and to spare: you’re right there." He laughed. "I’m not one of those that can see no good in Billy Screech," he said. "Too like him myself, I reckon. All the same, I know if the right woman came along to make it worth while, I could stand to work--for her--as well as any man. You’ll see some day. I can’t be bothered to work for myself, Madge, but if ever I get hold of Rhoda, ’twill surprise you to find what a knack for earning money I shall show. And same with yonder hairy chap. He’s clever and cunning. He’ll make a very good partner, if the woman ban’t too hard to please, and don’t worry him with silly questions." They parted a few minutes later; but before he went Bartley Crocker shook Madge’s hand very heartily as he thanked her with great earnestness for her promises. "What you’ll do for me I can’t guess," he said; "yet well I know that what you can do you will." "Couldn’t name it in words myself," she answered. "But all the same, I feel as one woman might have a bit of power over another in such a matter. I put my hope in her common sense. She don’t lack for that, and, once you win her, her common sense will be a tower of strength for the both of you."