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"They would be very hard to find!" said I, and sighed again

Whereupon Silas sighed, for co, went off

about hischeerily

So I presently turned about and crossed the road to the smithy

But upon the threshold I stopped all at once and drew softly

back, for, despite the early hour, Prudence was there, upon her

knees before the anvil, with George's great hand-ha over it, and, while she sobbed, she kissed

its worn handle And because such love was sacred and hallowed

that dingy place, I took off"The Bull" was not yet astir, for the day was still young

(as I say), I sat hed

And after I had sat there for soed in bitter , and nextround, I beheld the Ancient

"Bless 'ee, Peter--bless 'ee, lad!--an' a old --'specially such a old, old man as I be--an' it

bean't often as I feels in a blessin' sperrit--but oh, Peter!

'twere me as found ye, weren't it?"

"Why, to be sure it was, Ancient, very nearly five o"

"An' I be allus ready wi' soot ert noos!"

"And what is it this time?"