ALL ’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL 299

a warmth and a tingling in his heart he had never known
before.

“Margaret,” said he, coming quickly in at the door, as
she went silently about the house with a heavy heart
preparing the supper, “ Margaret.”

She dropped the platter upon the board, and came to
him hurriedly, fearing evil tidings.

He took her by the hands. This, even more than his
unusual manner, alarmed her. ‘Why, Simon,” she cried,
“what is it? What has come over thee?”

“Nought,” he replied, looking down at her, his hard
face quivering; “but I love thee, Margaret.”

“Simon, what dost thou mean?” faltered Mistress Att-
wood, her heart going down like lead.

“Nought, sweetheart—but that I love thee, Margaret,
and that our lad is coming home!”

Her heart seemed to stop beating.

“Margaret,” said he, huskily, “I do love thee, lass. Is
it too late to tell thee so?”

“Nay, Simon,” answered his wife, simply, “’t is never
toolateto mend.” And with that she langhed—but in the
middle of her laughing a tear ran down her cheek.

From the windows of the New Place there came a great
sound of men singing together, and this was the quaint
old song they sang:

“Then here ’s a health to all kind hearts
Wherever they may be;
For kindly hearts make but one kin
Of all humanity.