'Twas a dark dawn," said Mrs.Oliver.

"Even when I opened the door, so late as I was, you couldn't have told poor men from gentlemen, or John from a reasonable-sized object.

And I don't think maister's slept at all well to-night.

He's anxious about his daughter; and I know what that is, for I've cried bucketfuls for my own." When the old woman had gone Creedle said, "He'll fret his gizzard green if he don't soon hear from that maid of his.

Well, learning is better than houses and lands.