Everybody went into a state of consternation. Long Alec and Sid, because they were losing a good man, Judy and Rae and Pat, because they were losing Tillytuck. It did not seem possible. He had been a part of their life so long that it was unthinkable that he could cease to be such. Another change, thought Pat sadly.

“It’s just that he feels he’s lost face,” said Rae. “He would never have thought of going if that horrid woman hadn’t come here and given him away. That is his real reason for going, whatever he may say. I’m just going to sit here and hate her hard.”

“It do be too bad ye can’t be putting up wid us inny longer,” said Judy bitterly to him that evening.

“You know it ain’t that, Judy. I’ve stayed longer here than any place I’ve been in. But I’m getting too contented here. It’s always been my motto to move on if I got too contented anywhere. And I’ll admit there’s been too much Binnie around here of late for my liking. Besides, I’m getting on in years. You can’t escape Anno Domini. Farm work on a place like this is a bit hard on me now. I’ve saved up a little money and me and a friend on the South Shore are going to start up a fox ranch of our own. But I’ll never forget you folks here. I’ll miss your soup, Judy.”

There was a tremble in Tillytuck’s voice. Judy was setting the supper-table and trying to make an obstreperous salt-cellar shake. Suddenly she snatched it up and hurled it through the open window.

“I’ve put up wid that thing for twinty years,” she said savagely, “but I’ll not be putting up wid it another day.”

Tillytuck went away one bleak November evening. He turned in the doorway for a last word.

“May the years be kind to ye all, speaking poetically,” he said. “You are as fine a bunch of folks as I ever had the good luck to live among. You understand a man of my caliber. It’s a great thing to be understood. Long Alec is the right kind of a man to work for and your mother is a saint if ever there was one. I haven’t cried since I was a child but I come near it when she told me good-bye before she went up to bed. If that wild woman of mine ever pays you another call, Judy, for pity’s sake don’t tell her I believe in predestination now. If she knew it she’d drag me back by hook or crook. I’ll send for my radio when I get settled. Ajoo.”