manner, and that is never pleasant. There he was in the kitchen with
Martha! Age is no barrier to wrong, and Martha was very flushed. There
was a deal of laughter, too.'

'Mother! If you keep on like this, I shall go mad.'

'Why, Edward, you are all in a fever. There, there! It's more peaceful
without her, and I wish Mr. Reddin well of her.'

'Reddin? What Reddin?'

'Mr. Reddin of Undern. Who else?'

'Damn the fellow!'

'Edward! What words you take on your lips! And just think,' she went on
sorrowfully, 'that he seemed such a nice man. He liked the gooseberry
wine so much, and gave me a "ma'am," which is more than Martha does
half her time. Where are you going?'

'To Undern.'

'What for?'

'Hazel.'

Mrs. Marston sat bolt upright.

'But, of course, she'll never darken the door again!'