About a month later in the main road he was hailed from over the way. The old labourer came hobbling towards him.
"Ah, Mr. Crooks, I don't know what yer said to my ole woman that night, but she's bin a perfect angel since."
What Crooks had said was simple enough. On reaching the court he found the good wife gossiping.
"Here's Mr. Crooks!" cried the little company of women as he approached.
He spoke no word, but with a mysterious air beckoned the aggressive wife aside.
"Heard the news about your old man?" he asked with a long face.
Assuming the worst, she immediately began to weep into her apron.
"It's my fault, Mr. Crooks," she whimpered. "He often threatened to drown hisself, but I never thought he'd go and do it!"
And then again, amid broken sobs:—"I've al'ays bin a good wife to him, Mr. Crooks."