I know I mun not stay theere, and Philip gone away; and I dunnot know what to do: and I'll do aught, only I must keep her wi' me.

Whativer can I do, sir ?' Jeremiah thought it over for a minute or two.

Then he replied, 'I must have time to think.

I must talk it over with brother John.' 'But you've given me yo'r word, sir!' exclaimed she.
'I have given thee my word never to tell any one of what has passed between thee and thy husband, but I must take counsel with my brother as to what is to be done with thee and thy child, now that thy husband has left the shop.' This was said so gravely as almost to be a reproach, and he got up, as a sign that the interview was ended.
He gave the baby back to its mother; but not without a solemn blessing, so solemn that, to Sylvia's superstitious and excited mind, it undid the terrors of what she had esteemed to be a curse.
'The Lord bless thee and keep thee! The Lord make His face to shine upon thee!' All the way down the hill-side, Sylvia kept kissing the child, and whispering to its unconscious ears,-- 'I'll love thee for both, my treasure, I will.

I'll hap thee round wi' my love, so as thou shall niver need a feyther's.'.