"You must wait a bit longer, Bill. My missus is goin' next year, she tells me, to live with an old cousin of hers, and then I shall be free."
"You promise faithful, Peggy, that 'twill be next year? Them weddin' bells be in my heart and brain to-day."
"If you and me means to do God's work together, Bill, I'll come to you then."
Peggy spoke in hushed tones, but Bill drew her to him.
"My lass, you've taught me and father the way to heaven, and 'tisn't likely I'll hold back from doing what the Lord wills!"
Peggy's eyes filled with tears.
"And oh! Bill, what do you think Captain D'Arcy said to me to-day when he shook hands? He looked at me, and said,—
"'Goodbye, Peggy. I have a good many things to thank you for, but the best day's work you ever did was giving me that message the first day you saw me. You told a "sick captain" where to go to be cured, and though he took over a twelvemonth to make up his mind, he did it at last, and owes his complete recovery to you!'
"Those be his very words, and I cries when I think on 'em, for it makes me so overjoyed. I arsked God before I ever come to service that I might help a sick captain, and that's the way He has answered me!"
UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, THE GRESHAM PRESS, WOKING AND LONDON.