"What's that?"
"God forgive me! A rope to hang him. But mind thee, boy, we are trying the law o' the great teacher, and let us see if we can learn to love this man."
"Love Riley Brooke?" said Trove, doubtfully.
"A great achievement, I grant thee," said the tinker. "For if we can love him, we shall be able to love anybody. Let us try and see what comes of it."
A man was waiting for Darrel at the foot of the old stairs—a tall man, poorly dressed, whom Trove had not seen before, and whom, now, he was not able to see clearly in the darkness.
"The mare is ready," said Darrel. "Tis a dark night."
He to whom the tinker had spoken made no answer.
"Good night," said the tinker, turning. "A Merry Christmas to thee, boy, an' peace an' plenty."
"I have peace, and you have given me plenty to think about," said
Trove.
On his way home the boy thought of the stranger at the stairs, wondering if he were the other tinker of whom Darrel had told him. At his lodging he found a new pair of boots with only the Christmas greeting on a card.