"My stars! if it isn't as though you was another man!" she said. "But I wasn't _quite_ tired of them all the same. I think I must ax 'e to put on a beard, Dan. I like 'em, because faither's got one." "I could easy enough; my chin be like a stubble field after I've let him bide a day or two." "But I couldn't rub my cheek against it while 'twas coming!' "Better let me go as I am." "I'll think about that. Be you going to stop to supper?" "Can't, worse luck. I've promised to be back for a few indoor jobs this evening." "When shall I see you next?" "To-morrow night without a doubt. I'll come up over for an hour after supper." "'Tis a terrible long way up; an' a terrible rough road." "Not to me--and never has been." "I love you with every drop of blood in my body, you dear blessed Daniel!" "Well I know it; but 'tis such an amazing thought, I can't grasp it yet. 'Twill take days, I doubt." "I've grasped it tight enough! 'Tis the only thing in my head. I've forgot everything else in the world, for there's nought else worth knowing, except you love me." Thus they prattled at the door. Then a great gust dashed in and blew out the lamp. Brendon had to stop until it was relighted, and they made three more partings. Then Mr. Friend's voice called Sarah Jane, and Brendon set out in earnest for home. The darkness was full of storm; but his heart made a heaven of night, and the elements that swooped, and shouted, and soaked, were agreeable to Daniel as he plunged into them. They seemed tremendous as his love; and his love made him tremendous as they were. He felt kinship with the lash of the rain and the thrust of the wind. Underfoot, earth, like a slave, submitted to the torrent and the gale; and he also spurned it even as they did; he feared not its steep and stony miles; he swept forward as strong and fierce as the sky, as joyful as the fetterless forces of the air. CHAPTER XI SUSAN BRINGS THE NEWS