And then he was the nurse of any orphaned lamb or sick
chicken that Patience was anxious about, and his care certainly saved
many of those small lives.
The spring, when he came forth again, found him on a lower level,
less strong and needing a stick to aid his rheumatic knee.
Not much was heard of Emlyn that spring. She did not come to market
with her mistress, and Patience was not inclined to go in quest of
her, having a secret feeling that no news might be better for Stead
than anything she was likely to hear; while as to any chance of their
coming together, the Kentons had barely kept themselves through this
winter, and Steadfast's arithmetic was not making such progress as
would give him a place at a merchant's desk.
Patience, however, was considerably startled when, one fine June day,
she saw Mrs. Henshaw's servant point her out to two tall soldierly-
looking men, apparently father and son.
"Good morrow to you, honest woman," said the elder. "I am told it is
you who have been at charges for many years for my brother's
daughter, Emlyn Gaythorn.
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