"Yond's th' engine startin, aw mun be off;--an bless thi for what tha's
sed. Aw'll mak misen worthy on thi, an tha shall love me at th' finish."

That afternoon Dick seemed to be walking on air. His face was flushed,
and his heart beat until his voice was so unsteady that those who had to
speak with him eyed him curiously. As he passed Susy's loom she gave him
a look so full of love and sympathy that it required an effort to pass
on to his other duties.

When the day's work was ended, he waited, as was his custom, for Jack,
though he would much rather have gone home alone. He felt selfishly
happy, and he wanted to nurse his secret where no eye could read his
exultation. It was a something sacred,--too sacred to be shared even
with Jack.

As they walked along, they saw Susy tripping away, some distance in
advance.

"Yond's Susy, aw see," said Jack. "Aw could tell her onnywhear. Shoo
doesn't walk like th' rest on em. Aw wonder if shoo'll ivver think abaat
gettin wed agean."

"That's a matter at we've nowt to do wi. Aw suppooas shoo'll pleas
hersen," said Dick, in a tone that fairly startled Jack.

"Summat must ha gooan wrang wi' him at his wark," thought Jack, and they
walked along, only now and then giving utterance to some common place
remark. Dick's conscience accused him. He felt that he possessed a
secret that Jack could not share. There was a rift in the lute. Perfect
confidence had ceased to exist between them. Why should it be so? he