You mean that I am marrying
beneath me?'
"He hesitated.
"'There's two meanin's to 'beneath''
"'Ah!' I cried, 'I am glad you see that.'
"He looked at me slowly and continued--
"'Second p'int. Not so long agone you was talkin' of a Geraldin."
"I glanced at Tamsin again and comprehended.
"'I have been talking--?'
"She nodded.
"'And you know it all--the whole story?'
"She nodded again, with a world of healing pity in her eyes.
Then, with a swift glance at her brother, she stooped and kissed me.
"'Oh!' said Peter, very shortly; 'I'm thinkin' I'd best see Paul
'bout this;' and with that he disappeared.
"Whereupon," concluded Mr. Fogo, "I think I must have dropped asleep
again, for I remember nothing after this--at least, nothing that is
worth mention."
It is quite true that Mr. Fogo dropped asleep. He slept, moreover,
for a considerable time, and awoke to find Caleb seated beside the
bed.
"Where is Tam--Miss Dearlove?" he asked.
"There ain't no Dearlove, as I knaws by, called Tammis. The males
was chris'n'd Peter an' Paul, the female Thomasina: an' they'm gone."
"Gone?"
"Gone, an' left we like Hocken's duck, wi'out mate or fellow."
"How long?"
"Matter o' five hour'."
There was a long silence.
"Caleb!"
"Aye, aye, sir.
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