tries it there's always a breakage. When I'd melted the ice, the
thing began to leak like a sieve; and if this tinker fellow hadn't
come along--by Providence, as you may call it--though I'd ha' been
obliged to Providence for a quicker workman--"

Hetty was not listening. Her eyes had caught the tinker's, and the
warm blood had run back from her face: for he was the man who had
startled the sisters on the knoll, that harvest evening.

He nodded to her now with an impudent grin. "Good evening, missy!
If I'd known the job was for Miss Wesley, I'd ha' put best speed into
it: best work there is already."

"Hallo! Do you know this fellow?" her lover demanded.

"'Fellow'--and a moment back 'twas 'tinker'! Well, well, a man must
look low and pick up what he can in these times, 'specially when his
larger debtors be so backward--hey, miss? Why, to be sure I know
Miss Wesley: a man don't forget a face like hers in a hurry. Glad to
meet her, likewise, enjoyin' herself so free and easy. Shall I tell
the old Rector, miss, next time I call, how well you was lookin', and
in what company?"

Hetty saw her lover ruffling and laid a hand on his arm.

"Tuppence if you please, ma'am, and I'll be going. William Wright
was never one to spoil sport: but some has luck in this world and
some hasn't, and that's a fact." He grinned again as he pocketed the
money.