"Nothing is the matter as I know," said Fani, "only there's always
plenty of trouble flying about. We can't be all so free from care as
you, always laughing or singing or something."

"Indeed I wish we could," said Madlen, a pale girl who was bending over
a box of knitting pins, looking round curiously and rather sadly; "I
wish the whole world could be like you, Morva."

Morva snatched the girl's listless hand in her own warm firm grasp, and
pressed it sympathetically, for she knew Madlen's secret sorrow.

"Wait another year or two," said Fani, "we'll talk to you then! Wait
till your husband comes home drunk from 'The Black Horse!'"

"And wait till you put all your money into a shop and then find it
doesn't pay you," said Jos.

Madlen said nothing, but Morva knew that in her heart she was thinking,
"Wait until your lover proves false to you!" and she gave her hand
another squeeze.

"Well, indeed!" she said springing up, "what are you all talking about?
I won't put all my money in a shop, and I won't marry a drunkard!
Sixpence, is it? I am going home over the bog and round the hill, but
I am going to sit on the bench outside a bit first. There's lots of
swallows' nests under your eaves, Jos Hughes; that brings good luck,
they say, so your shop ought to pay you well."

So saying she passed out, and sitting on the bench round the corner of