“I am truly beholden to you, Mistress Hall; but I must not linger, so I can only pray God be wi’ you,” said Gertrude, using the phrase which has now become stereotyped into “good-bye.”
“But, Mistress Gertrude! won’t you step up to the house, and take a snack ere you go further? The fresh butter’s but now churned, and eggs new-laid, and—”
“I thank you much, Mistress Hall, but I must not tarry now. May God of His mercy keep you and all yours safe!”
And Gertrude, calling Jack, who was deeply interested in a rabbit-hole, hastened on to the Maidstone Road.
“There’s somewhat come over Mistress Gertrude,” said Tabitha, as she re-entered her own house. “Never saw her so meek-spoken in all my life. She’s not one to be cowed by peril, neither. Friswith, where on earth hast set that big poker? Hast forgot that I keep it handy for Father Bastian and the catchpoll, whichever of ’em lacks it first? Good lack, but I cannot away with that going astray! Fetch it hither this minute. Up in the chamber! Bless me, what could the maid be thinking on? There, set it down in the chimney-corner to keep warm; it’ll not take so long to heat then. Well! I trust they’ll win away all safe; but I’d as lief not be in their shoon.”
A faint sound came from the outside. Jack had spied his friends, and was expressing his supreme delight at having succeeded in once more piecing together the scattered fragments of his treasure.