"Did 'ee tell me as you--love--Black Jarge, Prue?"
"Yes, grandfer, I always have and always shall!"
"Loves Black Jarge!" he repeated; "allus 'as--allus will! Oh,
Lord! what 'ave I done?" Now, very slowly, a tear crept down his
wrinkled cheek, at sight of which Prue gave a little cry, and,
kneeling beside his chair, took him in her arms. "Oh, my lass!
--my little Prue--'tis all my doin'. I thought--Oh, Prue, 'twere
me as parted you! I thought--" The quivering voice broke off.
"'Tis all right, grandfer, never think of it--see there, I be
smilin'!" and she kissed him many times.
"A danged fule I be!" said the old man, shaking his head.
"No, no, grandfer!"
"That's what I be, Prue--a danged fule! If I do go afore that
theer old, rusty stapil, 'twill serve me right--a danged fule I
be! Allus loved 'im--allus will, an' wishful to wed wi' 'im!
Why, then," said the Ancient, swallowing two or three times, "so
'ee shall, my sweet--so 'ee shall, sure as sure, so come an' kiss
me, an' forgive the old man as loves 'ee so."
"What do 'ee mean, grandfer?" said Prue between two kisses.
"A fine, strappin' chap be Jarge; arter all, Peter, you bean't a
patch on Jarge for looks, be you?"
"No, indeed, Ancient!"
"Wishful to wed 'im, she is, an' so she shall. Lordy Lord! Kiss
me again, Prue, for I be goin' to see Squire--ay, I be goin' to
up an' speak wi' Squire for Jarge an' Peter be comin' too."
"Oh, Mr. Peter!" faltered Prudence, "be this true?" and in her
eyes was the light of a sudden hope.
"Yes," I nodded.
"D'you think Squire'll see you--listen to you?" she cried
breathlessly.
"I think he will, Prudence," said I.
"God bless you, Mr. Peter!" she murmured. "God bless you!"
But now came the sound of wheels and the voice of Simon, calling,
wherefore I took my hat and followed the Ancient to the door, but
there Prudence stopped me.
"Last time you met wi' Jarge he tried to kill you. Oh, I know,
and now--you be goin' to--"
"Nonsense, Prue!" said I. But, as I spoke, she stooped and would
have kissed my hand, but I raised her and kissed her upon the
cheek, instead. "For good luck, Prue," said I, and so turned and
left her.