All this time I had the keys in my hand, and now went back to the cottage to restore them to their place upon the wall. When I entered there was a young woman of a sweet interesting countenance talking to Mrs. Coombes. Now as it happened, I had never yet seen the daughter who lived with her, and thought this was she.
"I've found your daughter at last then?" I said, approaching them.
"Not yet, sir. She goes out to work, and her hands be pretty full at present. But this be almost my daughter, sir," she added. "This is my next daughter, Mary Trehern, from the south. She's got a place near by, to be near her mother that is to be, that's me."
Mary was hanging her head and blushing, as the old woman spoke.
"I understand," I said. "And when are you going to get your new mother, Mary? Soon I hope."
But she gave me no reply—only hung her head lower and blushed deeper.
Mrs. Coombes spoke for her.
"She's shy, you see, sir. But if she was to speak her mind, she would ask you whether you wouldn't marry her and Willie when he comes home from his next voyage."
Mary's hands were trembling now, and she turned half away.
"With all my heart," I said.