as when they saw our Sylvie’s face peeping in among all t’ flustered maids and men, rough and red wi’ weather and drink; and Jem Macbean, he said she were just like a bit o’ apple-blossom among peonies; and some man, he didn’t know who, went up and spoke to her; an’ either at that, or at some o’ t’ words she heard—­for they’d got a good way on afore that time—­she went quite white and mad, as if fire were coming out of her eyes, and then she turned red and left the room, for all t’ landlady tried to laugh it off and keep her in.’

’I’ll be down to Monkshaven before I’m a day older, and tell Margaret Lawson some on my mind as she’ll not forget in a hurry.’

Bell moved as though she would put on her cloak and hood there and then.

‘Nay, it’s not in reason as a woman i’ that line o’ life shouldn’t try to make her house agreeable,’ said Philip.

‘Not wi’ my wench,’ said Bell, in a determined voice.

Philip’s information had made a deeper impression on his aunt than he intended.  He himself had been annoyed more at the idea that Sylvia would be spoken of as having been at a rough piece of rustic gaiety—­a yearly festival for the lower classes of Yorkshire servants, out-door as well as in-door—­than at the affair itself, for he had learnt from his informant how instantaneous her appearance had been.  He stood watching his aunt’s troubled face, and almost wishing that he had not spoken.  At last she heaved a deep sigh, and stirring the fire, as if by this little household occupation to compose her mind, she said—­

‘It’s a pity as wenches aren’t lads, or married folk.  I could ha’ wished—­but it were the Lord’s will—­It would ha’ been summut to look to, if she’d had a brother.  My master is so full on his own thoughts, yo’ see, he’s no mind left for thinking on her, what wi’ th’ oats, and th’ wool, and th’ young colt, and his venture i’ th’ Lucky Mary.’

She really believed her husband to have the serious and important occupation for his mind that she had been taught to consider befitting the superior intellect of the masculine gender; she would have taxed herself severely, if, even in thought, she had blamed him, and Philip respected her feelings too much to say that Sylvia’s father ought to look after her more closely if he made such a pretty creature so constantly his companion; yet some such speech was only just pent within Philip’s closed lips.  Again his aunt spoke—­

‘I used to think as she and yo’ might fancy one another, but thou’rt too old-fashioned like for her; ye would na’ suit; and it’s as well, for now I can say to thee, that I would take it very kindly if thou would’st look after her a bit.’

Philip’s countenance fell into gloom.  He had to gulp down certain feelings before he could make answer with discretion.

’How can I look after her, and me tied to the shop more and more every day?’