"What's his name?"

"I shan't tell you; for the reason that I've a second to fall back
on, if I find on acquaintance that the first won't do. But first or
second, I'll marry one or t'other at the month-end, and so I give you
notice."

Master Simon sighed. "Well! well! I must get on as best I can with
Tom for a while." Tom was the tap-boy.

"Tom's going, too. I bullied him so this morning that he means to
give notice to-morrow; that is, if he don't save himself the trouble
by running off to sea."

"The twelfth in five years!" ejaculated Master Simon, stopping his
pipe viciously.

"And small blame to them! Married man or mariner--that's what a boy
is born for. Better dare wreck or wedlock than sit here and talk
about both. Take my advice, master, and marry the widow!"


Ann carried out her own matrimonial programme, at any rate, with
spirit and determination. Finding the first young farmer
satisfactory, she espoused him at the end of the month, and turned
her back on "Flowing Source." And Tom the tap-boy fulfilled her
prophecy and ran away to sea. And the old inn leaned after him until
its timbers creaked. And the autumn floods rose and covered the
meadows.