All the drawback to the happiness was that John had taken some land up in Vermont, and there the young couple went, shortly after the wedding.  It was a great cross to Mrs. Polly; but she bore it bravely.  Not a tear sparkled in her black eyes, watching the pair start off down the bridle-path, riding Red Robin, Ann on a pillion behind her husband.  But, sitting down beside her lonely hearth when she entered the house, she cried bitterly.  “I did hope I could keep Ann with me as long as I lived,” she sobbed.

“Don’t you take on,” said Nabby, consolingly.  “You take my word for’t, they’ll be back ’afore long.”

Nabby proved a true prophet.  Red Robin did come trotting back from the Vermont wilds, bearing his master and mistress before long.  Various considerations induced them to return; and Mrs. Polly was overjoyed.  They came to live with her.

Riding through the wilderness to Vermont on their wedding journey, Ann had confessed to her husband how she had secreted the thief who had tried to steal his Red Robin.  She had been afraid to tell; but he had turned on the saddle, and smiled down in her face.  “I am content that the man is safe,” said John Penniman.  “Prithee, why should I wish him evil, whilst I am riding along with thee, on Red Robin, Ann?”