"
Just then Norah arrived, carrying the lamp, and Dale turned to her for
aid.
"Norah, speak for me. Mr. Bates says he won't stay. Tell him how
disappointed we shall be."
"Oh, do stay, Mr. Bates," said Norah. "It'll be such a disappointment
to Mr. Dale."
"Some other evening, Miss--ah, Norah. But you must excuse me this
time."
And, having picked up his hat and stick, Mr. Bates bade them good
night.
Dale and Norah went out into the road and watched him as he walked
away.
"There, Norah;" and Dale, slipping his arm within hers, drew her
closer to his side. "Look with all your eyes. You'll never see a
better man than that."
They watched him till he disappeared in the gathering darkness; and he
seemed just like a pilgrim with his staff, slowly approaching the end
of a cruelly long journey.
XXV
It was perhaps a month after this when Dale heard news which plainly
indicated that the wicked son had completed his horrible task. He had
eaten up all that there was to eat.
Mr. Osborn said that old Bates had given his landlord notice, and he
was leaving his cottage almost immediately. The matter had been
brought to the pastor's knowledge because one of the Baptist
congregation thought of taking the cottage, and had asked Mr.
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