It was a cosy kitchen, and Lydia, once seated here, seemed to forget about the shopping of which she had spoken.  Mrs. Poole’s stream of talk was intimate and soothing; plenty of good sense, no scandal, and no lack of blitheness.  But at length it was declared to be the children’s bed time, and Lydia made this the signal for rising to take her leave.

‘Now do sit still!’ urged Mrs. Poole.  ’You’re such a restless body.  I’ve got lots of things I want to talk about yet, if only I could think of them.’

‘I really must go,’ Lydia pleaded.

’No, you mustn’t now, I shan’t be a minute getting these children off to bed, and then we’ll have just five minutes’ comfortable talk.  Just sew me a new tape into that apron, there’s a good girl.  You know where the cotton is—­on the dresser up there.’

Lydia took up the task cheerfully, and by when it was completed the youngsters were stripped and night-gowned, and ready to say their reluctant good-night.  Their mother carried them upstairs, one on her back and one in her arms—­good strong mother.

And the chat was renewed, till the next event of the evening, supper, had to be prepared for.  Lydia seemed to have given up the struggle; she consented to stay for the meal without much pressing.  When the table was laid Mrs. Poole went upstairs to her brother’s bedroom.  On opening the door she was met with a very strong odour of chemical experimentalising.  Despite the warmth of the season, there was a fire, with two or three singular pots boiling upon it.  A table was covered with jars and phials, and test-tubes and retorts.  Here Ackroyd was bending to explain something to a sharp-eyed little lad, Jacky Bunce.  Luke had allowed his beard to grow of late, and it improved his appearance; he looked more self-reliant than formerly.  He was in his shirt-sleeves.

‘Now, Jacky,’ began Mrs. Poole, ’what’ll your father say to you staying out till these hours?  He’ll think you’re blowed up.  Why, it’s half-past nine.’

‘All right, Jane,’ said Ackroyd.  ’Jack and I have had a deal of talk about the compounds of hydrogen.’

’And if I was his mother, him and I would have a deal of talk about waistcoats,’ rejoined Mrs. Poole, shrewdly.

’I declare, Luke, you ought to tie an apron over him, if he’s going to make that mess of himself.’

‘It’s an old waistcoat, Mrs. Poole,’ protested Jack.  ’I keep it on purpose.’

’Oh, you do!  Well, mind it don’t go through to your shirt, that’s all.  Now run away home, Jacky, there’s a good boy.’

‘He shan’t be five minutes more,’ interposed Luke.  ’I’m coming down myself in five minutes.’

’Well, supper’s waiting.  And here’s Miss Trent here, too.  Not that that’ll make you come any quicker; perhaps I’d better not have mentioned it.’

Jane pressed her lips together after speaking, and withdrew.