CHAPTER XIV .-- LIFE IN THE DINGLE--ISOPEL IS INOCULATED WITH TONGUES--A.
THUNDERSTORM.
Nearly three days elapsed without anything of particular moment occurring.

Belle drove the little cart containing her merchandise about the neighbourhood, returning to the dingle towards the evening.

As for myself, I kept within my wooded retreat, working during the periods of her absence leisurely at my forge.

Having observed that the quadruped which my companion drove was as much in need of shoes as my own had been some time previously, I had determined to provide it with a set, and during the aforesaid periods occupied myself in preparing them.

As I was employed three mornings and afternoons about them, I am sure that the reader will agree that I worked leisurely, or rather lazily.