"O father, we must be getting very near! It is like a smith's forge.

I am sure it must be Will Ives or his father.
Oh, do let us ride on quickly and see!" The riders pressed onward through the widening forest path, and, sure enough, found themselves quickly in the little clearing which surrounded the village of Much Waltham.

How well the elder Paul remembered it all! the village church, the smithy, and the low thatched cottages, the small gardens, now brighter than he had seen them in the dreary winter months; the whole place wearing an air of increased comfort and prosperity.
The flame within the forge burned cheerily, and revealed an active figure within, hard at work over some glowing metal, which emitted showers of brilliant sparks.

Sir Paul rode forward and paused at the door with a smile of recognition on his face.

The smith came forward to see if the traveller required any service of him, but was somewhat taken aback by the greeting he received.
"Well, worthy Will Ives, time has dealt more kindly with you than with me, I trow.