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 there a God? Once I never doubted it—I was content then. Did I ever think? I don't know—contented folk never ask themselves the why or wherefore of anything."

So he went on, thinking sombrely of his trouble, until the horse came to the gate of the narrow way that led to the farmstead. There he pulled himself together and took up the reins and drove at a quicker pace to the door of the house. He got out of the trap and collected his parcels and walked steadily into the kitchen. It was then six o'clock, and Mally and the two women were having a cup of tea at the table in the window-place. Mally looked at her master with some curiosity.

"Massy on us!" she said; "ye're lookin' badly, maister—that white and drawn. Aren't you weel?"

"I'm all right," he answered. "It's very hot to-day—it's the heat, Mally."

"I'll mak' you a cup o' fresh tea at once," said Mally. "It's varry coolin' is tea—nowt like it i' summer."