“Not lost after all, thank God,” said Gaff, with a deep prolonged sigh, as he led his wife to a chair and sat down beside her.
“Lost, Stephen, what mean ye?”
“Not married again,” said Gaff with a quiet smile.
“Married again! an’ you alive! oh, Stephen!”
“Nay, lass, not believin’ me alive, but ye’ve had good reason to think me dead this many a year.”
“An’ d’ye think I’d ha’ married agin even though ye was dead, lad?” asked the wife, with a look of reproach.
“Well, I believe ye wouldn’t; but it’s common enough, ye must admit, for folk to marry a second time, an’ so, many and many a long day I used to think p’raps Jess’ll ha’ found it hard to keep herself an’ Tottie, an’ mayhap she’ll have married agin arter givin’ me up for dead.”
“Never!” exclaimed Mrs Gaff energetically.
“Well, forgive me for thinkin’ it, lass. I’ve been punished enough, for it’s cost me many a bitter hour when I was on the island.”
“On the island!” exclaimed Tottie in surprise.