By six o'clock the task was done the coffin nailed down, and Adam and Seth were on their way home.

They chose a shorter way homewards, which would take them across the fields and the brook in front of the house.

Adam had not mentioned to Seth what had happened in the night, but he still retained sufficient impression from it himself to say, "Seth, lad, if Father isn't come home by the time we've had our breakfast, I think it'll be as well for thee to go over to Treddles'on and look after him, and thee canst get me the brass wire I want.

Never mind about losing an hour at thy work; we can make that up.

What dost say ?" "I'm willing," said Seth.