done in dear old England, who can see the man in trouble here, and
not repay it--ay, if it cost one's blood. But indeed he is strong and
healthy, and hands are always scarce our way, and the odds are he will
earn his meat one way or t'other; and if he doesn't, why, all the better
for me; I shall have the pleasure of serving him for nought that once
served me for neither money nor reward."

"You are a good woman," said the doctor warmly.

"There's better, and there's worse," said Phoebe quietly, and even a
little coldly.

"More of the latter," said the doctor dryly. "Well, Mrs.--?"

"Falcon, sir."

"We shall hand him over to your care: but first--just for form--if
you are a married woman, we should like to see Dick here: he is your
husband, I presume."

Ploebe laughed merrily. "Dick is my brother; and he can't be spared to
come here. Dick! he'd say black was white if I told him to."

"Then let us see your husband about it--just for form."

"My husband is at the farm. I could not venture so far away, and not
leave him in charge." If she had said, "I will not bring him into
temptation," that would have been nearer the truth. "Let that fly stick
on the wall, sir. What I do, my husband will approve."