dispute and finally came to conclusions with himself on the subject. He
felt that if only a personable man could come along and win the girl's
affection, 'twould put her in a strong position, for he was jealous on her
account by now and wished her well; but nobody round about troubled to
court Milly Boon after the people knew that Dick Bewes was making the
running, for they felt he'd win her sure enough if he had patience to hold
on.

So, as there was none else to hope for as might come forward and save the
situation for Jane Pedlar, Jack resolved that he was called upon for the
task.

He larned the market value of the cottage and then, three days afore the
thunderbolt was timed to fall, he went up over to Nicholas Bewes and had a
tell with the man.

For two mortal hours did they sit together smoking their pipes, and
turning over the situation, and Bewes was bound to grant, when Jack was
gone, that the chap possessed a lot of sound sense, though mouth-speech
weren't his strong point, and it took him a deal of time to make his
meaning clear. But none the less he could do so, when a listener was
content not to hurry him, and Nicholas Bewes listened very patient, the
more willingly because what Jack had to say interested him a lot.

He was a thought put about first, however, because Cobley didn't mince
words.

"'Tis like this, if I may say so," he began. "Your son's wishful to marry
Milly Boon--a good bit against her will, by all accounts; but you be on
his side, naturally, and want to see him happy, so you've put a loaded