WHY, think you ?" "I don't know," said Jacob Baines, humbly.
"I'll tell you.

Because Abel Fletcher is a Quaker and a Christian." "Hurrah for Abel Fletcher! hurrah for the Quakers!" shouted they, waking up the echoes down Norton Bury streets; which, of a surety, had never echoed to THAT shout before.

And so the riot was over.
John Halifax closed the hall-door and came in--unsteadily--staggering.
Jael placed a chair for him--worthy soul! she was wiping her old eyes.
He sat down, shivering, speechless.

I put my hand on his shoulder; he took it and pressed it hard.
"Oh! Phineas, lad, I'm glad; glad it's safe over." "Yes, thank God!" "Ay, indeed; thank God!" He covered his eyes for a minute or two, then rose up pale, but quite himself again.
"Now let us go and fetch your father home." We found him on John's bed, still asleep.

But as we entered he woke.
The daylight shone on his face--it looked ten years older since yesterday--he stared, bewildered and angry, at John Halifax.
"Eh, young man--oh! I remember.