I have no intention of pursuing the matter further; nor will I, for your father's and mother's sake, bring public disgrace upon you; but of course I shall not retain you here further, nor have anything to do with you, in the future." Without a word, Reuben turned and left the room.

Had he spoken, he would have burst into a passion of tears.

With a white face, he walked through the village and entered his mother's shop.
"What?
Back again, Reuben ?" she said.

"I thought your leg was too bad to work." "It isn't my leg, mother," he said, in a choking voice.

"The squire has dismissed me.