especially as the rain was pouring down, and the night so black that nothing was distinguishable excepting as it passed the misty street lamps. They were quite alone, the village was asleep, and he was soon at her side.
"I hev found thee by thysen at last, Sarah. Whereiver hes ta been, my lass?"
"Granny Oddy is dying. I was keeping the watch until midnight with her."
"What hes ta to say to me now? Steve has left thee altogether now, hesn't he?"
"Ay, but I can't leave him."
"He doesn't need thee now, Sarah."
"But he's going to need me, and that's worse than iver."
"Why-a! I thought he wer doing extra well."
"I think he was niver doing so badly. They are living at heck and manger, master, and Joyce hed a little lass last week, and she's varry dwining and sick. I went there last night, and cleaned up things a bit for her. It isn't like t' old place, not at all."
"Hes ta no word of hope for me, then?"
"Nay, I hen't, not yet."
"It's varry hard on me, Sarah."
