"'Tis my dying kiss—my curse. Go! When he drags you to want and death, you will see how foolish you have been."
"When I lift him to honor and life the world will see how wise and heroic I have been. That extra kiss, father?"
Noah looked puzzled.
"I see it now, father. That's to commend my heroism. You would say so in words, but you are a bit too human at present. Poor Patsy is to be buried in a pauper's grave; poor Caleb in my affections. Your task is noble. No parting word for me? None? I go not alone."
"You go not alone, for the fires of tribulation go with you," said Noah, and shouldered his spade.
As Noah crossed the bridge leading to the potter's field he met Caleb.
"Hello, old graybeard!" This was Caleb's salutation. "I jilted the cobbler's Mary for your Melviny. A mess of perdition she is. You have the honor of burying my mother; I would have the pleasure of marrying your daughter. 'Tis a fair exchange. Speak the word; the magistrate is waiting for his fee. You won't? Your beard is a foot long."
"I go to dig your mother's grave."
"I detain you to pleasure my mother's son."
"She must be buried."