As  we  reached  the  group,  poor  Margery,  Dickon's
young  wife,  with  her  child  in  her  arms,  half-
sobbed,—'

"  I  wonder,  Rachel,  thee  can  bear  to  go  on  stitch,
stitch.  Since  the  news  came  I  have  been  all  of  a
tremble  thinking  of  my  goodman,  who  went  off
with  yourn.  I  couldn't  bring  my  fingers  together
to  hold  a  needle,  do  what  T  would."

"  I  don't  know  that  I  could  well  bear  it  without
the  stitching,  neighbour,"  said  Rachel,  softly.
"  When  trouble  is  come,  we  may  well  sit  still  and
weep.  The  Lord  calls  us  to  it.  But  in  the  waiting-


THE  DA  YEN  ANTS,  2  8 1

times  I  see  nought  for  it  but  to  brace  up  the  heart
and  work."

When  we  came,  all  turned  to  tell  us  of  the  dread
rumour.  Aunt  Gretel  brought  one  or  two  cheering
stories  of  providence  and  deliverance  out  of  the
eventful  histories  of  her  youth  ;  and  then  we  went
.on  our  errands,  Aunt  G-retel  thinking  we  should  do
more  to  soothe  and  quiet  these  agitated  hearts  by
the  example  of  steadily  pursuing  our  task,  than  by
the  wisest  talking  in  the  world.
"  For,"  said  she,  "  the  true  tidings  have  yet  to
come ;  and  they  are  like  to  be  sad  enough  to  some.
