"Nay, wife, why sit up for him?
Since he has taken to these roving habits at night there is no depending upon him.

I must put an end to them if they are to disturb you so.

The boy is safe enough.

Why are you anxious about him tonight ?" It was Farmer Devenish who spoke these words to his wife, half an hour after the rest of the household had retired to rest, and he found her still sitting beside the fire, which she had piled up high on the hearth, as if she meant to remain downstairs for some time; which indeed she distinctly told him was her intention, as she did not wish to go to bed until Jack had come in.
"He asked me to sit up for him tonight," she answered, "and he never did so before.

I was glad of it; for I have been uneasy for the boy, wondering what could take him out so often at night." "Oh, he's going courting, you may depend upon it," laughed the farmer in his hearty way; "and courting some young lass not of our village, but one who lives a pretty step from here, I'll be bound.
I've held my peace, and let the boy go his own way.