Vol.1 f.065 recto

but half washed out.
" God save you, neighbour!' said the locksmith, as he followed her, with the air of an old friend, into a little parlour where a cheerful fire was burning.
"And you,' she answered smiling. "Your kind heart has brought you here again. Nothing will keep you at home, I know of old, if there are friends to serve or comfort, out of doors.'
"Tut, tut,' returned the locksmith, rubbing his hands and warming them. "You women are such talkers. What of the patient, neighbour?'
"He is sleeping now. He was very restless towards daylight, and for some hours tossed and tumbled sadly. But the fever has left him, and the doctor says he will soon mend. He must not be removed until to-morrow.'
"He has had visitors to-day -- humph?' said Gabriel, slyly.
"Yes. Old Mr Chester has been here ever since we sent for him, and had not been gone many minutes when you knocked.'
"No ladies?' said Gabriel, elevating his eyebrows and looking disappointed.
"A letter,' replied the widow.
"Come. That's better than nothing!' replied the locksmith. "Who was the bearer?'
"Barnaby, of course.'
"Barnaby's a jewel!' said Varden; "and comes and goes with ease where we who think ourselves much wiser would make but a poor hand of it. He is not out wandering, again, I hope?'
"Thank Heaven he is in his bed; having been up all night, as you know, and on his feet all day. He was quite tired out. Ah, neighbour, if I could but see him oftener so -- if I could but tame down that terrible restlessness --'
"In good time,' said the locksmith, kindly, "in good time -- don't be down-hearted. To my mind he grows wiser every day.'
The widow shook her head. And yet, though she knew the locksmith sought to cheer her, and spoke from no conviction of his own, she was glad to hear even this praise of her poor benighted son.