And, strange to tell, that last word of mine gave me an idea.  Looking back I can see what tremendous things was hid in that chance speech, for it decided my life in a manner of speaking.  Of course when I told Greg he weren’t the only one, I used a figure of speech and no more, because there weren’t none else and never had been; but now, as I unrayed for bed, I asked myself how it would be if there was another after me, and though very well knowing that no such thing could possibly happen, I let the thought run, pictured myself with another string to my old bow, and wondered what Mr. Sweet would do then.

I certainly paid the man the compliment of feeling sure, when he heard that, he’d throw caution to the winds and go for me; and since there wasn’t in sober truth another as had looked upon me with any serious resolves, I had to set about the matter.  The Lord helps those who help themselves, but not if they be up to anything underhand or devious, as a rule, and though I might have invented a tale to hoodwink Gregory Sweet, that must have got back on my conscience, besides being a dangerous thing.  Deceived, the poor man had to be—­for his own good, but my story must be made to hold water and ring true, else, with his doubting and probing nature, I well knew he’d ferret out the facts and very like leave me a loser.

But one man there was, who could well be trusted to play his part in this difficult matter, and he knew the circumstances and had already asked me time and again when Gregory was going to take the plunge.  So I went to Arthur Parable and explained the situation and hoped, as an old friend and a well-wisher and a man far above suspicion, he’d lend a hand.

“It’s like this, Arthur,” I said.  “I can trust you with my secrets, you being a man never known to talk and also a great friend of poor John’s.”  And then I explained how it was with Mr. Sweet and how he only wanted just a clever push from outside to propose and be done with it.

Arthur heard me in silence, then he spoke.  “You don’t want me to tell the man to offer for you?” he asked, and I replied: 

“No Arthur—­far from it; but I want you to fall in with a little plot.  There’s nothing quickens a man like Gregory so fast as finding he isn’t the only pebble on the beach; and if he was to hear my praises on your lips, or find us two taking a walk by the river, or drop in and see you drinking your dish of tea along with me once and again, I’m tolerable sure that he’d find the words.  It won’t throw no shadow on you,” I said, “if you was to pretend a little interest in me; but when Gregory found out you was doing so, and heard the name of Mary Stocks in your mouth, and guessed you find your mind occupied with me off and on, then ’twould be the match to the powder in my opinion; and I should never forget your great goodness and bless your name.”

He took a good long time before he answered, and I was feared of my life he would refuse to have any hand in the affair.  He cast his eyes over me that searching that I felt I might have gone too far; but then he grinned, which was an expression of pleasure very rare indeed with Arthur, and his brow lifted, and he went so far as to wink one of his pale grey eyes, the one with a drooping lid.