"He's a very feeling creature is father," answered the woman. "He didn't care much for poor Mr. Withycombe, and Mr. Withycombe never quite saw father's good points, like most of the people do; but father's down-daunted to-day. 'Tis a landmark gone; and death's death; and he's fearful that another old person here and there may be took presently, along of the cruel cold in the churchyard."
"The wind curdled down off the Beacon like knives," admitted Palk. "Mrs. Honeysett kept her face very steady."
"She did. But she's a brave creature."
"She've got the cottage for her life, however."
"Yes. Squire's left it to her for naught, so long as she likes to bide there."
"A deep thought—how long she will bide there."
"Yes, it is. Jerry will be gone, come presently; but she'll have a neighbour. There's a widow man and his daughter took the cottage—the haunted house that joins hers. He's a new gardener to Buckland Court and don't fear ghosts."
"So I heard tell."
They were silent and then Thomas, now on very friendly terms with Susan, asked a question.
"Will it make a difference to Mr. Stockman, Mrs. Honeysett being set free of her father, miss?"