"What has happened to him? Is he hurt?" asked the widow, with a pale face.
"No, no; hasn't he been home?"
"He is at the shoe-shop, of course."
"No, he is not. He was discharged by Squire Collins this morning."
"Discharged? What for?"
"Don't you know? Some quarrel between Mark and James Collins, I believe."
"I am glad he is not hurt."
"But hasn't he been home? I wonder at that."
"I have seen nothing of him since he started for the shop."
"That's strange."