When she reined in he rode up to her, and met the gaze of her sad eyes with sympathetic, wistful silence.
"Dixon," said she, "they say I must leave Ford Bank." "I was afeared on it, from all I've heerd say i' the town since the master's death." "Then you've heard--then you know--that papa has left hardly any money--my poor dear Dixon, you won't have your legacy, and I never thought of that before!" "Never heed, never heed," said he, eagerly; "I couldn't have touched it if it had been there, for the taking it would ha' seemed too like--" Blood-money, he was going to say, but he stopped in time.

She guessed the meaning, though not the word he would have used.
"No, not that," said she; "his will was dated years before.

But oh, Dixon, what must I do?
They will make me leave Ford Bank, I see.

I think the trustees have half let it already." "But you'll have the rent on't, I reckon ?" asked he, anxiously.

"I've many a time heerd 'em say as it was settled on the missus first, and then on you." "Oh, yes, it is not that; but you know, under the beech-tree--" "Ay!" said he, heavily.