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Cornick, who told us of the hopes of the little community that the Government would yet pay indemnity for the injury done by Federal soldiers to the old church. The next morning brought so fine a Thanksgiving Day that our gratitude rose up with the sun though the rest of us awaited a more convenient hour. The air was crisp; the sky was unclouded.
Jim, with the greatest readiness, fell into conversation, and told the same story as that he had related at the mill. 'Bob Loveday going to be married? repeated Festus. 'You all seem struck of a heap wi' that. 'No; I never heard news that pleased me more. When Cornick was gone, Festus, instead of passing straight on, halted on the little bridge and meditated.
'I didn't see you, miss, replied Cornick, turning. 'Yes, your brother hev' his eye on a wife, and he deserves one. I hope you don't mind? 'Not in the least, she said, with a stage laugh. 'I am interested, naturally. And what is she? 'A very nice young master-baker's daughter, honey. A very wise choice of the young man's. 'Is she fair or dark? 'Her hair is rather light.
You should have seen that man's face in the het o' battle, his features were as if they'd been cast in steel. 'We rather expected a letter from Bob before this. 'Well, said Jim Cornick, with a smile of toleration, 'you must make allowances.
'Ah! I know your father, cried the trumpet-major, 'old James Cornick. It was the man who had brought Anne in his lerret from Portland Bill. 'And Bob hasn't got a scratch? said the miller. 'Not a scratch, said Cornick. Loveday then bustled off to draw the visitor something to drink.
But 'a got a good deal talked about; and they say there's promotion in store for'n. At this point in the story Jim Cornick stopped to drink, and a low unconscious humming came from Anne in her distant corner; the faint melody continued more or less when the conversation between the sailor and the Lovedays was renewed. 'We heard afore that the Victory was near knocked to pieces, said the miller.
'If he had been dead I could have borne it, but this I cannot bear! Meanwhile Sailor Cornick had gone on his way as far as the forking roads, where he met Festus Derriman on foot. The latter, attracted by the seaman's dress, and by seeing him come from the mill, at once accosted him.
The miller hastened out and brought him into the room, where John, Mrs. Loveday, and Anne Garland were all present. 'I'm from aboard the Victory, said the sailor. 'My name's Jim Cornick. And your lad is alive and well.
'And, she added, with solemn bitterness, 'say that I am glad to hear he is making such good use of the first days of his escape from the Valley of the Shadow of Death! She went away, expressing indifference by audibly singing in the distance 'Shall we go dance the round, the round, the round, Shall we go dance the round? 'Your sister is lively at the news, observed Jim Cornick.
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