"I'd more than one reason for coming betimes. I wanted to hear how
yon poor wench was--that stood first. Late last night I got a
letter from Margaret, very anxious-like. The doctor says the old
lady yonder can't last many days longer, and it seems so lonesome
for her to die with no one but Margaret and Mrs. Davenport about
her. So I thought I'd just come and stay with Mary Barton, and see
as she's well done to, and you and your mother and Will go and take
leave of old Alice."
Jem's countenance, sad at best just now, fell lower and lower. But
Job went on with his speech.
"She still wanders, Margaret says, and thinks she's with her mother
at home; but for all that, she should have some kith and kin near
her to close her eyes, to my thinking."
"Could not you and Will take mother home? I'd follow when"--Jem
faltered out thus far, when Job interrupted--
"Lad! if thou knew what thy mother has suffered for thee, thou'd not
speak of leaving her just when she's got thee from the grave as it
were. Why, this very night she roused me up, and 'Job,' says she,
'I ask your pardon for wakening you, but tell me, am I awake or
dreaming? Is Jem proved innocent? O Job Legh! God send I've not
been only dreaming it!' For thou see'st she can't rightly
understand why thou'rt with Mary, and not with her.
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