Not long after they emerged from the woods into the road they reached Jennings's house, and he left his friends.
The Colonel lived some quarter of a mile farther on. He had reached his gate, when he said, abruptly, to the Squire, “Look here, Eben, you remember a talk we had once about Jerome Edwards and your girl?”
The Squire stared at him. “Yes; why?”
“Nothing, only seeing him just now set me to wondering if you were still of the same mind about it.”
“If being willing that Lucina should have the man she sets her heart on is the same mind, of course I am; but, good Lord, Jack, that's all over! He hasn't been to the house for a year, and Lucina never thinks of him!”
Colonel Lamson laughed wheezily. “Well, that's all I wanted to know, Eben.”
“What made you ask me that?” asked the Squire, suspiciously.
“Nothing; seeing Jerome and his mill brought it to mind. Well, I'll be along to-night.”
“That's all over,” the Squire called out again to the Colonel, going slowly up the hill to the house door. However, when he got home, he questioned Abigail.
“I haven't heard Lucina mention Jerome Edwards's name for months,” said she, “and he never comes here; but she seems perfectly contented and happy. I think that's all over.”