Ah, what a fool! What a fool! * * * * * It was nearly three hours later that Jim Dawlish the miller answered Jeff Ironside's gruff morning greeting with an eager, "Have you heard the news, sir ?" Dawlish was of a cheery, expansive disposition, and not much of the village gossip ever escaped him or remained with him.
"What news ?" demanded Jeff.
"Why, about the old Colonel up at the Place, to be sure," said Dawlish, advancing his floury person towards the doorway in which stood the master's square, strong figure.
"Colonel Elliot ?" queried Jeff sharply.

"What about him ?" Dawlish wagged a knowing head.

"Ah, you may well ask that, sir.

He died--early this morning--quite unexpected.

Had a fit or some'at.