"I don't know of any other house in the village."
"Well, you can think it over; of course that is your own affair, not mine."
"If Mark were only at home," said the perplexed woman; "I would know better what to do."
"You had better send for him then. Good morning."
Squire Collins rose and left the presence of the widow whom he had made thoroughly anxious and unhappy.
In the course of the afternoon old Anthony came home. He was looking unusually jubilant and happy, in direct contrast with the widow's anxious face.
"Mrs. Manning," he said, "I bring you good news."
"I am glad of it, sir, for I have only bad news."
"And what is your bad news?"
"I must leave this house."