“Hold on, parson,” the captain cried, as he took a quick step forward.  “D’ye mean the wee lad which was left at yer door t’other night?”

“Why, yes,” the clergyman replied, in surprise, as he turned around.  “How did you hear about him?”

“H’m, ye can’t keep anything in this place a secret fer twenty-four hours.  Trust the women to find out, especially about a baby, ha, ha!”

“Well, what of it?” and the parson looked keenly into the captain’s eyes.

“Ob, nothin’, except that if the wee chap has to go without his milk because I have Brindle, it makes all the difference in the world, see?”

“And you will let me have the cow without any fuss?”

“Sure.  I’ll bring her right over, and milk her fer ye, too.  And, see here, parson, I didn’t mean to offend ye.  I know that I am a queer cranky cuss, but I never meant to keep Brindle.  I only wanted to have a little fun, that’s all.  You’ve gone up a peg in my estimation since I heard that ye’d taken in that poor little waif.  Shake on it, and let bygones be bygones.”

So there in the middle of the road on this peaceful morning, the two neighbours clasped hands, and as Parson Dan walked slowly back to his house there was a sweet peace in his heart, and his eyes were a little misty as he opened the door.

CHAPTER III

THE WIDOW’S VISIT

Parson Dan spent most of the day in visiting his people in the parish, and accordingly had little time to give to Rodney.  But after supper he began to romp with the wee man much to Mrs. Royal’s amusement.  There was considerable excitement for a while as the clergyman, on all-fours, carried the baby through the kitchen, into the dining-room, and back again.  The boy shivered with delight as he sat perched upon the broad back.  Forgotten were all parish cares as the venerable man gave himself up to the little waif.  He had become a child again, and had entered that kingdom where children are the uncrowned monarchs, and the strong and the aged are willing subjects, yea, even most abject slaves.

In the midst of this hilarious frolic, the door of the dining-room, leading into the hall, was suddenly opened, and a woman entered.  She was dressed all in black which costume was well in keeping with her face, which bore the same expression it did the day she buried her husband two years before.  Her sober face grew a shade more sober as her eyes rested upon the undignified scene before her, and she was about to turn and hurry back out of doors, when the parson caught sight of her.  His face, flushed with the excitement of the romp, took a deeper hue when he saw Mrs. Marden standing before him.  He scrambled to his feet, and plunked Rodney down upon the floor, much to that young gentleman’s disgust.  He at once set up a dismal howl, which took Mrs. Royal some time to silence when she had him alone in the kitchen.