Accordingly, after bedding down the horse and fastening the barn, he returned to the kitchen; and soon the prosperous couple retired to rest.
"Why, how res'less you be!" exclaimed Mrs. Ducklow, in the middle of the night. "What's the reason ye can't sleep?"
"I don't know," groaned Mr. Ducklow. "I can't help thinkin' o' Miss Beswick. I never was so worked at any little thing."
"Well, well! forget it, father; and do go to sleep!"
"I feel I ought to have gone over to Reuben's! And I should have gone, if 't hadn't been for you!"
"Now how unreasonable to blame me!" said Mrs. Ducklow. "Ye might have gone; I only reminded ye how late it was."
Mr. Ducklow groaned, and turned over. He tried to forget Miss Beswick, Reuben, and the bonds, and at last he fell asleep.
"Father!" whispered Mrs. Ducklow, awaking him.
"What's the matter?"
"I think—I'm pretty sure—hark! I heard something sounded like somebody gitting into the kitchen winder!"