The women took their cue from the men.  They thought, however, that Miss Butterworth would be very lonesome, and found various pegs on which to hang out their pity for a public airing.  Still, the little tailoress was surprised at the heartiness of their congratulations, and often melted to tears by the presents she received from the great number of families for whom, every year, she had worked.  No engagement had occurred in Sevenoaks for a long time that created so much interest, and enlisted so many sympathies.  They hoped she would be very happy.  They would be exceedingly sorry to lose her.  Nobody could ever take her place.  She had always been one whom they could have in their families “without making any difference,” and she never tattled.

So Miss Butterworth found herself quite a heroine, but whenever Jim showed himself, the women all looked out of the windows, and made their own comments.  After all, they couldn’t see exactly what Miss Butterworth could find to like in him.  They saw a tall, strong, rough, good-natured-looking man, whom all the men and all the boys greeted with genuine heartiness.  They saw him pushing about his business with the air of one who owned the whole village; but his clothes were rough, and his boots over his trowsers.  They hoped it would all turn out well.  There was “no doubt that he needed a woman badly enough.”

Not only Miss Butterworth but Jim became the subject of congratulation.  The first time he entered Sevenoaks after the announcement of his engagement, he was hailed from every shop, and button-holed at every corner.  The good-natured chaffing to which he was subjected he met with his old smile.

“Much obleeged to ye for leavin’ her for a man as knows a genuine creetur when he sees her,” he said, to one and another, who rallied him upon his matrimonial intentions.

“Isn’t she rather old?” inquired one whose manners were not learned of Lord Chesterfield.

“I dunno,” he replied; “she’s hearn it thunder enough not to be skeered, an’ she’s had the measles an’ the whoopin’ cough, an’ the chicken pox, an’ the mumps, an’ got through with her nonsense.”

CHAPTER XXI.

IN WHICH JIM GETS THE FURNITURE INTO HIS HOUSE, AND MIKE CONLIN GETS ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF ADVICE INTO JIM.

Jim had a weary winter.  He was obliged to hire and to board a number of workmen, whom it was necessary to bring in from Sevenoaks, to effect the finishing of his house.  His money ran low at last, and Mr. Benedict was called upon to write a letter to Mr. Balfour on his behalf, accepting that gentleman’s offer of pecuniary assistance.  This was a humiliating trial to Jim, for he had hoped to enter upon his new life free from the burden of debt; but Mr. Balfour assured him that he did not regard his contribution to the building-fund as a loan—­it was only the payment for his board in advance.