An' she just worshipped her baby." Here Meg paused a moment.

"Tom was a real danger to the country when she died," she presently went on.

"He used to run about the woods like a madman, calling her to come back to 'im, an' threatenin' to murder any one who came nigh 'im;--then, by and by, he took to the kiddie, an' he's steadier now." There was something in the narration of this little history that touched Helmsley too deeply for comment, and he was silent.
"Well!"-- and Meg gave her pony's reins a shake--"I must be off! Sorry to leave ye standin' in the middle o' the road like, but it can't be helped.

Mind you keep the little dog safe!--and take a woman's advice--don't walk too far or too fast in one day.

Good luck t' ye!" Another shake of the reins, and "Jim" turned briskly down the lane.