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dead； and I've not the knack of speaking rightly to Will。 I dare not
do it； and that's the truth。 But you mun not think badly of Will。
He's so good hissel； that he can't understand how any one can do
wrong； and； above all； I'm sure he loves you dearly。〃
〃I don't think I could part with Nancy；〃 said Susan； anxious to stop
this revelation of Will's attachment to herself。 〃He'll come round
to her soon； he can't fail； and I'll keep a sharp look…out after the
poor mother； and try and catch her the next time she comes with her
little parcels of money。〃
〃Ay； lass； we mun get hold of her； my Lizzie。 I love thee dearly for
thy kindness to her child： but； if thou canst catch her for me； I'll
pray for thee when I'm too near my death to speak words； and； while I
live； I'll serve thee next to hershe mun come first； thou know'st。
God bless thee； lass。 My heart is lighter by a deal than it was when
I comed in。 Them lads will be looking for me home； and I mun go； and
leave this little sweet one〃 （kissing it）。 〃If I can take courage；
I'll tell Will all that has come and gone between us two。 He may
come and see thee； mayn't he？〃
〃Father will be very glad to see him； I'm sure；〃 replied Susan。 The
way in which this was spoken satisfied Mrs。 Leigh's anxious heart
that she had done Will no harm by what she had said； and； with many a
kiss to the little one； and one more fervent tearful blessing on
Susan； she went homewards。
CHAPTER III。
That night Mrs。 Leigh stopped at homethat only night for many
months。 Even Tom； the scholar； looked up from his books in
amazement； but then he remembered that Will had not been well； and
that his mother's attention having been called to the circumstance；
it was only natural she should stay to watch him。 And no watching
could be more tender； or more complete。 Her loving eyes seemed never
averted from his facehis grave； sad； careworn face。 When Tom went
to bed the mother left her seat； and going up to Will； where he sat
looking at the fire； but not seeing it； she kissed his forehead； and
said〃Will！ lad； I've been to see Susan Palmer！〃
She felt the start under her hand which was placed on his shoulder；
but he was silent for a minute or two。 Then he said； …
〃What took you there； mother？〃
〃Why； my lad； it was likely I should wish to see one you cared for； I
did not put myself forward。 I put on my Sunday clothes； and tried to
behave as yo'd ha' liked me。 At least； I remember trying at first；
but after； I forgot all。〃
She rather wished that he would question her as to what made her
forget all。 But he only said …
〃How was she looking； mother？〃
〃Well； thou seest I never set eyes on her before； but she's a good；
gentle…looking creature； and I love her dearly； as I've reason to。〃
Will looked up with momentary surprise； for his mother was too shy to
be usually taken with strangers。 But； after all； it was naturally in
this case； for who could look at Susan without loving her？ So still
he did not ask any questions； and his poor mother had to take
courage； and try again to introduce the subject near to her heart。
But how？
〃Will！〃 said she （jerking it out in sudden despair of her own powers
to lead to what she wanted to say）； 〃I telled her all。〃
〃Mother！ you've ruined me；〃 said he； standing up； and standing
opposite to her with a stern white look of affright on his face。
〃No！ my own dear lad； dunnot look so scared； I have not ruined you！〃
she exclaimed； placing her two hands on his shoulders； and looking
fondly into his face。 〃She's not one to harden her heart against a
mother's sorrow。 My own lad； she's too good for that。 She's not one
to judge and scorn the sinner。 She's too deep read in her New
Testament for that。 Take courage； Will； and thou mayst； for I
watched her well； though it is not for one woman to let out another's
secret。 Sit thee down； lad； for thou look'st very white。〃
He sat down。 His mother drew a stool towards him； and sat at his
feet。
〃Did you tell her about Lizzie； then？〃 asked he； hoarse and low。
〃I did； I telled her all！ and she fell a…crying over my deep sorrow；
and the poor wench's sin。 And then a light comed into her face；
trembling and quivering with some new glad thought； and what dost
thou think it was； Will； lad？ Nay； I'll not misdoubt but that thy
heart will give thanks as mine did； afore God and His angels； for her
great goodness。 That little Nanny is not her niece； she's our
Lizzie's own child； my little grandchild。〃 She could no longer
restrain her tears； and they fell hot and fast； but still she looked
into his face。
〃Did she know it was Lizzie's child？ I do not comprehend；〃 said he；
flushing red。
〃She knows now： she did not at first； but took the little helpless
creature in； out of her own pitiful； loving heart； guessing only that
it was the child of shame； and she's worked for it； and kept it； and
tended it ever sin' it were a mere baby； and loves it fondly。 Will！
won't you love it？〃 asked she； beseechingly。
He was silent for an instant； then he said； 〃Mother； I'll try。 Give
me time； for all these things startle me。 To think of Susan having
to do with such a child！〃
〃Ay； Will！ and to think； as may be； yet of Susan having to do with
the child's mother！ For she is tender and pitiful； and speaks
hopefully of my lost one； and will try and find her for me； when she
comes； as she does sometimes； to thrust money under the door； for her
baby。 Think of that； Will。 Here's Susan； good and pure as the
angels in heaven； yet； like them； full of hope and mercy； and one
who； like them； will rejoice over her as repents。 Will； my lad； I'm
not afeard of you now； and I must speak； and you must listen。 I am
your mother； and I dare to command you； because I know I am in the
right； and that God is on my side。 If He should lead the poor
wandering lassie to Susan's door； and she comes back； crying and
sorryful； led by that good angel to us once more； thou shalt never
say a casting…up word to her about her sin； but be tender and helpful
towards one 'who was lost and is found；' so may God's blessing rest
on thee； and so mayst thou lead Susan home as thy wife。〃
She stood no longer as the meek； imploring； gentle mother； but firm
and dignified； as if the interpreter of God's will。 Her manner was
so unusual and solemn； that it overcame all Will's pride and
stubbornness。 He rose softly while she was speaking； and bent his
head； as if in reverence at her words； and the solemn injunction
which they conveyed。 When she had spoken； he said； in so subdued a
voice that she was almost surprised at the sound； 〃Mother； I will。〃
〃I may be dead and gone； but； all the same； thou wilt take home the
wandering sinner； and heal up her sorrows； and lead her to her
Father's house。 My lad！ I can speak no more； I'm turned very
faint。〃
He placed her in a chair；