chimney, and stood again on the site of the old hearth, in the midst of
the new walls of red bricks that were being built up. How the master
could remove the new house and restore the old hut was a question of some
perplexity to him; but his confidence in the parson at Danesford was so
perfect, that he did not doubt for a moment that he could call Fern's
Hollow his own again next spring.




CHAPTER XII.

VISIT OF BLACK BESS.


Everybody at Botfield was astonished at the change in Stephen's manner;
so cheerful was he, and light-hearted, as if his brief manhood had passed
away, with its burden of cares and anxieties, and his boyish freedom and
gladsomeness had come back again. The secret cause remained undiscovered;
for Martha, fluent in tongue as she was, had enough discretion to keep
her own counsel, and seal up her lips as close as wax, when it was
necessary. The people puzzled themselves in vain; and Black Thompson left
off hinting at revenge to Stephen. Even the master, when the boy passed
him with a respectful bow, in which there was nothing of resentment or
sullenness, wondered how he could so soon forget the great injury he had
suffered. Mr. Wyley would have been better satisfied if the whole family
could have been driven out of the neighbourhood; but there was no knowing
what ugly rumours and inquiries might be set afloat, if the boy went
telling his tale to nobody knows whom.