"Much you care how I am, Gethin Owens. Never been to see me for so long."
"Well, you look all the better for my absence, I think. But what you want with me? Tom Jenkins said an old woman wanted to see me shocking, and I gave him a clatch on his ear, to teach him not to call a young woman like you an old woman. Why, you look ten years younger than when I saw you last."
"Go 'long, Gethin Owens," said Mrs. Jones. "Didn't you have the letter?"
"No. Tom said the boys in the streets had torn it in a scrimmage they had; but he gave me your message."
"Well, come in and look on the settle then."
In the shadow of the settle, Sara sat listening to the conversation, with a look of amusement in her eyes.
Gethin looked a moment into the dark corner, and, recognising her, took two steps in advance, with extended hands and a smiling greeting on his lips; but suddenly the whole expression of his face changed to one of anxiety and distrust.
"What is it," he said, "has brought you so far, Sara? Is the old man dead?"
"Nonsense, no!" said Sara.
"Well, you wouldn't come so far to tell me Will was married."