The Virgin in Judgment

ept, and money was made from Elias Bowden's famous breed of spaniels. To see Rhoda, solemn and stately, with

my Rhoda never neighboured kindly with the babbies--worse than useless wit

soon as their eyes opened on the world. Yelping and screaming, the puppies paddled about after her; the old dogs walked by her side or galloped before. Sometimes she went to the warren with them and watched them working. After David

She had regarded all these lives as running parallel with her own. They were fellow mortals and no doubt possessed their own interests, homes, anxieties and affairs. She had felt very friendly to them all and had liked to suppose that they were happy and prosperous. That they lived on each other did not puzzle her or p

from childhood, crept forth a

life exceeded hers by much, and she often failed after serious search to see reason for his amusemen

y her. Until now the great and favourite mystery in Rhoda's life was the meaning of the old sundial at Sheepstor church. Above the porch may still be seen a venerable stone cut to represent a hu

ceased to want an explanation and would have refused to hear one: the mystery sufficed her. David, too, had shared her em

nbury interested her profoundly and there lurked no suspicion of jealousy in Rhoda's attitude; but critical she was, and terribly jealous for David. Young Bowden's mother had b

ncts had driven her to pet and nurse the boulders on Coombeshead; while for Rhoda were babies and t

dden a masculine heart. And yet her loveliness and her presence made men forget these facts. They began by being enthusiastic and only cooled off after a nearer approach had taught them her limitations. In the general opinion Rhoda "wanted something" to complete her; but here and there were those who did not mark this shadowy deficiency. Mr. Simon Snell regarded her as the most complete

coloured brute had a string tied round its neck and was then sent into the burrows. Anon the boys dug down where the string indicated, and often found two or three palpitating rabbits corner

e a woman, and Rhoda, recognising

should have a bit of a tell about one or two things, and I said a while

We're making up a big order for B

e. Bless them two boys, ho

son and Richard, who had just

e and blossom here. Aubrietias struggled in the stones by the garden path, and a few Michaelmas daisies, now in the sere, also prospered there. Sarah Bowden herself, and only she, looked after the flowers. They were a sort of pleasure to her--especially the daffodils that speared through the black earth and hung

he kitchen, and his wife sat by the fire mending clothes. Rhod

hem and everything to do with them. Had Nature permitted it, she would gladly ha

As you know, my dear, there's something in the wind, and Bartholomew thought that perhaps you'd b

e," said Elias. "Mrs. Stanbury must have

sure. Don't let me put y

en. "'Tis about David and your

haven't got more sense than, please God, they should have. But all the same

ryside for kindness," said Mrs. Bowden. "She's a prope

den. "She's got eve

o people like you, with large ideas about money, such a figure be very sma

tanbury!" sai

it's going to be. I know the signs. Your David's set on her, and he's the sort who have their way. That man's face wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, if I may say

he table. He poured out a glass of eld

eft him five hundred pound under his will; and when he marries and leaves here, he'll spend a bit of that on sheep--old Dartmoor crossed with Devon Long Wool. 'Tis a brave breed and th

d, indeed, Mrs. Stanbury so understood it. In their speech, as in their written communications, the folk shear off ever

nug. But where be he going, if

the yard, David may become Moorman of the quarter. Nobody's better suited to the work. Well--ponies.--With ponies what live be all profit, and what die be no loss. In fact, if you find the carpses soon enough, the

abide living in no stuffy village after the warren, so he's going

I hope--if I may

nder Black Tor as he'd found by the river. There's a ruin of the 'ol

and think 'tis a good en

o," sai

re of your time, for I mark

ng youth, Bartley Crocker. Mind, Constance, I'm not saying anything against him

be almost good enough for her boy. 'Tis a great compliment, but she've begun at the wrong end--curious such a clever woman as her. Margare

a young man so solid an

, Sarah. An old head

off his own bottom," declared Elias. "As to t'other chap, he may have a witty mot

dden tears. Nobody can always be in such a good temper--lik

t of different clay, and though your daughter may not have much to laugh at, for I'll gran

you. Madge will get a bit of fun out of married life. Her very

y not?" aske

will bring the pudding. Leave it so. They must do the rest. And as for l

tanbur

hen, that you'm both

arder, David will put his prospects afore B

any daughter of mine, and I h

"Margaret's as good as gold, and lucky t

'e," declared Mrs. Stanbury; then she d

for crying 'stinking fish,'" said M

belongings without a doubt; but a good sor

ar whether she oug

u might

one of his s

ghing at?" a

die, she'll tell the angels when they come to fetch her, that s