CHAPTER XVII.
THE SQUIRE'S WEIRD.
He took leave of Mendarva and the Jolls just before Christmas.
The smith was unaffectedly sorry to lose him.

"But," said he, "the Dane will be entered for the championship next summer, so I s'pose I must look forward to that." Every one in the Joll household gave him a small present on his leaving.

Lizzie's was a New Testament, with her name on the flyleaf, and under it, "Converted April 19, 187-." Taffy did not want the gift, but took it rather than hurt her feelings.
Farmer Joll said, "Well, wish 'ee well! Been pretty comfiable, I hope.

Now you'm goin', I don't mind telling 'ee I didn't like your coming a bit.

But now 'tis wunnerful to me you've been wi' us less than two year'; we've made such friends." At home Taffy bought a small forge and set it up in the church at the west end of the north aisle.