hurrying to the front door, Jinny looking after him with a smile of
amused disdain.

"'Ts-ts!" she said; "Mistheer, pwr fellow, is very ignorant, though he
is so learned. 'Tis a wonder, indeed, he didn't want to buy hay for
the pig!"

But she went out pleased, nevertheless, and spread a bed of yellow
straw in readiness for her expected "company."

"I wonder who is wanting to sell a pig now," she soliloquised. "I
daresay Mishteer saw an old 'bare bones' passing that nobody else would
buy, and is going to take pity on him."

"Poor old Ebben Owens. 'Twill be hard for him to-day," thought the
vicar, as he made his way to the pig market, and in another moment he
was gladdening the heart of the lonely old man by his kindly greeting.

"Well, well, Mr. Price, sir! Is it you indeed so early in the market?"

"Yes, I have come to buy a pig," said the vicar, holding out his hand.

Embarrassment and shame suffused Ebben Owens's face with a burning
glow, and he hesitated to place his own hand in the vicar's.

"Have you heard about me, sir?" he asked,

"I have heard everything," answered the vicar, grasping the timid hand
and pressing it warmly.