"
"We've no secrets," said the good-natured grocer, as he took down his
hat and coat from behind the door. "Our hearts are open like them
clocks, with all the works outside, eh, Lucy, my dear?" Laughing at his
own simile, he kissed her again.
"If you'll take care of the shop," he went on, as he opened the door,
"I'll just run over to Richmond for those jams and things. Old Tucker's
cart is going over, and he'll lend me a hand."
"Get along, then," replied his wife, "and don't forget we want some more
spices."
"Right you are," said the husband, and with a wave of his hand to her he
went down the path, the two children running to meet him.
Lucy Ashford stood at the door and looked after him wistfully.
"Poor John," she murmured, as she went back to clear away the
tea-things. "What would he do to me, if he knew?"
Her thoughts went back to the great secret of her life. It was that
which caused her strange nervousness. She had repented of the past truly
enough, and no better wife could have been found throughout the kingdom;
but the secret had eaten into her life. She strove now to put it away
from her; for she knew she was in reality safe enough.
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