“It’s odd doings for Oaklands having yon crowd come with their baskets,” he said, grimly; “the young miss be like to turn things topsy-turvey.”

“It’s high time somebody did; what kind of reckonins will folks have bime-by, of all their riches, and overplus, and so many of their own kind of flesh and blood going hungry and naked?”

“Their reckonins be none in my line.  I sees to the roots and posies, that they thrive; and there my work ends.”

“Yes, posies are fed and sheltered, and little human creeturs like the widow Larkum’s there can starve for all the great folks cares.  Deary me! it’s a terble onjointed sort of world; seems to me I could regilate things better myself.  Well, a good afternoon, Mr. Prime.”

“Good afternoon,” Mr. Prime coldly responded.  Plainly he did not enjoy Mrs. Blake’s freedom of speech.  I felt my trespasses against Mr. Winthrop were already so great I could scarcely increase them by leaving Mrs. Blake abruptly, so I walked with her through the old gardens, where she had many a time, no doubt, dreamed her dreams long before my spirit got started on its long voyage through time and the eternities.  I accompanied her all the way to the gate, listening sadly while she told me for the second time the sorrowful story of the widow Larkum, whose baby I had just been fondling.  “Ever since her man fell on the circular saw and got killed, she’s been crying more or less.  Her eyes look as if they’d been bound in turkey red; and I tell her she’ll be blind soon as well as her father; but, laws! when the tears is there, they might as well come.  It’s their natur, I s’pose, to be a droppin’.”

“What is to support them?” I asked.

“I guess the parish, but my! they dread it.  I believe Mr. Bowen would be the happiest man in town if the Lord would send his angels for him; he’s about the best Christian I ever sot eyes on.”

“I think I can help them.  Does it cost very much to keep a family.”

“It depends on how they’re kept.  A trifle would do them.  She’s that savin’, the hull of ’em don’t cost much more’n a hearty man.”

“I will tell, Thomas, to leave plenty of his vegetables with her; and, in the meantime, will you please tell her that I will help to keep the wolf from her door?”

“Indeed, I will, and be glad to.  I can do a little myself; so you won’t have all to do; and then she is right handy with her needle.  My!  I feel a burden lifted already.  I couldn’t help frettin’ as well as her, though, she’s no more to me than any other body.”

“God has given you the heart that feels another’s woes.  Every one don’t have that blessed gift.”

“I expect not; or if they do, it’s not minded.  Seems to me the master looked none too well pleased along wi’ us bein’ there to-day.”  She looked at me keenly; but I was not going to make my moan even to this true-hearted friend.

“I hope this act of kindness may leave him so happy that he will give me leave to give away all the unused stuff I see going to waste about the place,” I said, a trifle hypocritically.