saying a word against her. She has only one child, a nice, quiet little girl
who'd be company for her mother and make everything look right, you know."

"I don't see what there's been to look wrong," growled the farmer.

"Nothing to me and my folks, of course, or I wouldn't suggest the idea of a
relation of my wife coming to live with you. But you see people will talk
unless you stop their mouths so they'll feel like fools in doing it. I know
yours has been a mighty awkward case, and here's a plain way out of it. You
can set yourself right and have everything looked after as it ought to be, in
twenty-four hours. We've talked to Cynthy--that's Mrs. Mumpson--and she takes
a sight of interest. She'd do well by you and straighten things out, and you
might do a plaguey sight worse than give her the right to take care of your
indoor affairs for life."

"I don't expect to marry again," said Holcroft curtly.

"Oh, well! Many a man and woman has said that and believed it, too, at the
time. I'm not saying that my wife's cousin is inclined that way herself.
Like enough, she isn't at all, but then, the right kind of persuading does
change women's minds sometimes, eh? Mrs. Mumpson is kinder alone in the
world, like yourself, and if she was sure of a good home and a kind husband
there's no telling what good luck might happen to you. But there'll be plenty
of time for considering all that on both sides. You can't live like a
hermit."

"I was thinking of selling out and leaving these parts," Holcroft interrupted.

"Now look here, neighbor, you know as well as I do that in these times you
couldn't give away the place. What's the use of such foolishness? The thing