I would have done it but for two things--I must see how my mistress and Jeannette and the little ones fared; and, further, I knew not when I might receive a summons from Ludar to fulfil my pledge to him.

So I refused, to his regret, yet we parted friends; and, as you may hear later on, not for the last time.
At the week's end, I found myself once more knocking at Master's Udal door at Kingston.

The place looked pleasanter already for the presence of my gentle mistress and her daughter.

The little garden was trim and well kept, the windows were brighter, and the children's voices near made the air gladder.

As for Master Udal himself, when he opened the door, I could have laughed to see the change in him.