‘I wish mother had been here, then she’d ha’ known all, without my telling her.’

’Cheer up, lass; it’s better as it is.  Thou’ll get o’er it sooner for havin’ no one to let on to.  A myself am noane going to speak on’t again.’

No more he did; but there was a strange tenderness in his tones when he spoke to her; a half-pathetic way of seeking after her, if by any chance she was absent for a minute from the places where he expected to find her; a consideration for her, about this time, in his way of bringing back trifling presents, or small pieces of news that he thought might interest her, which sank deep into her heart.

‘And what dun yo’ think a’ t’ folks is talkin’ on i’ Monkshaven?’ asked he, almost before he had taken off his coat, on the day when he had heard of Philip’s promotion in the world.  ’Why, missus, thy nephew, Philip Hepburn, has got his name up i’ gold letters four inch long o’er Fosters’ door!  Him and Coulson has set up shop together, and Fosters is gone out!’

‘That’s t’ secret of his journey t’ Lunnon,’ said Bell, more gratified than she chose to show.

‘Four inch long if they’re theere at all!  I heerd on it at t’ Bay Horse first; but I thought yo’d niver be satisfied ’bout I seed it wi’ my own eyes.  They do say as Gregory Jones, t’ plumber, got it done i’ York, for that nought else would satisfy old Jeremiah.  It’ll be a matter o’ some hundreds a year i’ Philip’s pocket.’

‘There’ll be Fosters i’ th’ background, as one may say, to take t’ biggest share on t’ profits,’ said Bell.

‘Ay, ay, that’s but as it should be, for I reckon they’ll ha’ to find t’ brass the first, my lass!’ said he, turning to Sylvia.  ’A’m fain to tak’ thee in to t’ town next market-day, just for thee t’ see ‘t.  A’ll buy thee a bonny ribbon for thy hair out o’ t’ cousin’s own shop.’

Some thought of another ribbon which had once tied up her hair, and afterwards been cut in twain, must have crossed Sylvia’s mind, for she answered, as if she shrank from her father’s words,—­

‘I cannot go, I’m noane wantin’ a ribbon; I’m much obliged, father, a’ t’ same.’

Her mother read her heart clearly, and suffered with her, but never spoke a word of sympathy.  But she went on rather more quickly than she would otherwise have done to question her husband as to all he knew about this great rise of Philip’s.  Once or twice Sylvia joined in with languid curiosity; but presently she became tired and went to bed.  For a few moments after she left, her parents sate silent.  Then Daniel, in a tone as if he were justifying his daughter, and comforting himself as well as his wife, observed that it was almost on for nine; the evenings were light so long now.  Bell said nothing in reply, but gathered up her wool, and began to arrange the things for night.

By-and-by Daniel broke the silence by saying,—­

‘A thowt at one time as Philip had a fancy for our Sylvie.’