"
"Don't, don't, Master Andrew!" cried Patience, "I tell you I'd come
if I could, but you can't wait, and they can't wait; and you must
find a good mother at once for them, for I have passed my word to
hold by Stead till he is married, and I must keep to it."
"Very well, my lass," said the miller, grimly. "There's wenches
better portioned and better favoured than you, and I hope you won't
have to repent of missing a good offer."
Of course he said it as if he hoped she would. Patience cried
heartily when they were gone. Ben came up to her and glowered after
them, declaring he wouldn't have his Patty go to be only a step-
mother to troublesome brats; but Stead, when he came to know of it,
looked grave, and said it was very good of Pat; but he wished she
could have kept the young fellow in play till she was ready for him.
Goody Grace, who was looking after the children till the stepmother
could be found, came and expostulated with Patience, telling her she
was foolish to miss such a chance, and that she would find out her
mistake when Stead married and that little flighty, light-headed
wench made the place too hot to hold her.
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