"He does so much for us--He is sleepless--always watching and thinking for us worms.... And what can we do to pay Him? Nothing. We can only thank Him in our hearts every hour of the day." Sarah Jane was silent a moment--then broke out suddenly. "I don't want you to fawn on God about me, Daniel." He started. "What do you say, my darling dear?" "Us don't think all alike there. I hate a mean spirit in a man. Not that you've got one--far, far from that. But I hate even a dog that cringes; and maybe God thinks the same of a man that does." "Can we cringe to the Almighty?" "The Giver's more than the gift to you, perhaps?" "Nought on earth could be more than the gift, and well you know it! But----" "I've given myself to you. I've done it myself--out of my own heart," she cried almost passionately. He did not argue the point, but put his arms round her again. Yet he pondered as they passed on to Dunnagoat Cottage; and presently she startled him once more. Mr. Friend took the news in a spirit very stoical. "It had to come: 'twas only a question of time. I've always knowed that," he said. "I'm going to bargain for a fair spell of keeping company afore you do the rash deed. You catched fire from each other the first moment you met, I do believe. But sometimes the love that's soon ripe is soon rotten. So you'll just larn a bit about each other and we'll talk of marrying presently, when there's a foundation of understanding and knowledge built up between you." "I know Dan to the very soul of him," said Sarah Jane. "I've read him day by day like a book of large, easy print; and he knows me--better than I know myself--don't you, Daniel?" Brendon grinned doubtfully. "I know you're the best, beautifullest wonder of a woman as ever I met with; and I know that I ban't worthy to tie your shoe-string; and that's about all I do know," he said. "Exactly so!" declared Gregory. Then he took his daughter's face between his hands and kissed her. "Bless you, you bowerly maid. You know nought about her, man; and I--her own parent--don't know much more; and she herself--what do she know, but that she's born--and loves you? There's as much we don't know, and she don't know, behind them blue eyes of hers, as there is behind the blue sky. Mark that; an' the Lord bless you, I'm sure; and if all goes well, I shall be pleased to have you for a son-in-law." "I hope you'll never get no cause to regret them words, Mr. Friend. And, God helping, I'll Be a useful son to you as the years go on." "That's a very proper thing to say. And if I have any opinion in the matter, 'tis this, that you won't take her too far off from me. She must bide fairly close. She's all I've got, and I couldn't go on without seeing her from time to time." "That I will promise." They fell into long silences while Gregory's daughter made tea; then they ate and drank and talked more freely again.