And when they drank his health, it was with insinuating winks and nods; one saying: "What a pity.

He ought to have somebody to leave his little farm to." "Yes," another would interrupt; "if he had a son he'd be sure to leave him the secret of Kidd's treasure." The gossips of the village were to change their tune soon.

Dame rumor had been whispering it around for a month that there was something in the wind at Toodleburg's.

And, to put it more plainly, it was added that Hanz was soon to be made a happy man by the appearance of a little Toodleburg.

This change, or rather apparent change, in the prospects of the family did not relieve Hanz from the tax for ale and cider levied on him by the idle fellows at the inn.