I returned their salute, and prayed God to bless them from my heart: we descended the hill, and I could see them no more.
'It's a coldish mornin' for you, Miss Agnes,' observed Smith; 'and a darksome 'un too; but we's happen get to yon spot afore there come much rain to signify.' 'Yes, I hope so,' replied I, as calmly as I could.
'It's comed a good sup last night too.' 'Yes.' 'But this cold wind will happen keep it off.' 'Perhaps it will.' Here ended our colloquy.

We crossed the valley, and began to ascend the opposite hill.

As we were toiling up, I looked back again; there was the village spire, and the old grey parsonage beyond it, basking in a slanting beam of sunshine--it was but a sickly ray, but the village and surrounding hills were all in sombre shade, and I hailed the wandering beam as a propitious omen to my home.

With clasped hands I fervently implored a blessing on its inhabitants, and hastily turned away; for I saw the sunshine was departing; and I carefully avoided another glance, lest I should see it in gloomy shadow, like the rest of the landscape..