Hence the pig was sacred, cared for and loved by this Darby and
Joan.
"Ee be mos' like a child to me and the mother, an' mos' as sensible
as a Christian, ee be," the old man had said; and I could hardly
credit my eyes when I saw the tall bent figure side by side with
the black pig, coming along my road on such a day.
I hailed the old man, and both turned aside; but he gazed at me
without remembrance.
I spoke of the pig and its history. He nodded wearily. "Ay, ay,
lad, you've got it; 'tis poor Dick's pig right enow."
"But you're never going to take it to E--?"
"Ay, but I be, and comin' back alone, if the Lord be marciful. The
missus has been terrible bad this two mouths and more; Squire's in
foreign parts; and food-stuffs such as the old woman wants is hard
buying for poor folks. The stocking's empty, now 'tis the pig must
go, and I believe he'd be glad for to do the missus a turn; she
were terrible good to him, were the missus, and fond, too. I
dursn't tell her he was to go; she'd sooner starve than lose poor
Dick's pig. Well, we'd best be movin'; 'tis a fairish step."
The pig followed comprehending and docile, and as the quaint couple
passed from sight I thought I heard Brother Death stir in the
shadow. He is a strong angel and of great pity.
CHAPTER V
There is always a little fire of wood on the open hearth in the
kitchen when I get home at night; the old lady says it is "company"
for her, and sits in the lonely twilight, her knotted hands lying
quiet on her lap, her listening eyes fixed on the burning sticks.
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