Hob had perhaps felt when he had undertaken to conduct the lady
through it, for ladies, though inured to many dangers in those days,
were unaccustomed to travelling on their own feet; but the mother's
heart seemed to heed no obstacle, though moments came when she had to
lean heavily on her companion, and he even had to lift her over
brooks or pools; but happily the sun had not set when they made their
way through the tangles of the wood, and at last saw before them the
fitful glow of a fire of dead leaves, branches and twigs, while the
bark of a dog greeted the rustling, they made.

'Sweetheart, my faithful!' then shouted Hob, and in another moment
there was a cry, 'Ha! Halloa! Master Hob--beest there?'

'His voice!--my son's!' gasped the lady, and sank for a moment of
overwhelming joy against the faithful retainer, while the shaggy dog
leapt upon them both.

'Ay, lad, here--and some one else.'

The boy crashed through the underwood, and stood on the path in a
moment's hesitation. Mother and son were face to face!

The years that had passed had changed the lad from almost a babe into
a well-grown strong boy but the mother was little altered, and as she
held out her arms no word was wasted ere he sprang into them, and his
face was hidden on her neck as when he knew his way into her embrace
of old!

When the intense rapturous hold was loosed they were aware of
Goodwife Dolly looking on with clasped hands and streaming eyes,