“You will be a loss, Morris,” returned the stranger. “Have you sent word to Sir Hubert’s steward about going?”
“I’ve just come from him. He spoke very kindly, and tried to persuade me to stay on; but my mind is fixed, and I was firm. Sir Hubert and my lady are not coming home, after all, he tells me, for which I am sorry, as Margery would——”
Margery rose and moved into the doorway, holding out her hand to the speaker.
“I have heard what you have been saying, Dad Reuben,” calling him by the name she had given him when she was a child.
Reuben Morris drew her toward him.
“My poor lass!” he said, gently. “How worn and tired you look! I meant to ha’ spoken to you to-night, Margery.”
“Tell me now,” she urged, giving her hand to the young man.
“I am going away, Margery,” Reuben replied. “I cannot stay here. The sight of all she loved would kill me; so I am just going to leave it all; and I start for Australia at the end of the week. I have been up to Farmer Bright’s, and Mr. Robert has walked back with me to talk it all over.”
“Australia!” repeated Margery, drawing closer to him. “So soon!”
“Yes, lass; I must go. I have had an offer through Farmer Bright to go up country to a man who wants a stock-driver. It isn’t money that takes me, Margery. I must quit Hurstley, or I shall go mad. But we must think of you, lass?”