Jane, disappointed that the baby’s name remained a mystery, resolved to set out on a voyage of discovery.  Accordingly, as soon as her cousin was gone, she asked Emily if she had not been saying that Ada wanted some more cotton for her sampler.

‘Yes,’ said Emily, ’but I am not going to walk all the way to Mrs. Appleton’s this afternoon.’

‘Shall I go?’ said Jane.  ‘Ada, run and fetch your pattern.’  Emily and Ada were much obliged by Jane’s disinterested offer, and in a quarter of an hour Ada’s thoughts and hands were busy in Mrs. Appleton’s drawer of many-coloured cotton.

‘What a pity this is about Mrs. Naylor’s baby,’ began Jane.

’It is a sad story indeed, Miss Jane, I am sure it must be grievous to Mr. Devereux,’ said Mrs. Appleton.  ’Betsy Wall said he had been there three times about it.’

‘Ah! we all know that Walls have ears,’ said Jane; ’how that Betsy does run about gossiping!’

’Yes, Miss Jane, there she bides all day long at the stile gaping; not a stitch does she do for her mother; I cannot tell what is to be the end of it.’

‘And do you know what the child’s name is to be, Mrs. Appleton?’

‘No, Miss Jane,’ answered Mrs. Appleton.  ’Betsy did say they talked of naming him after his uncle, Edward Gage, only Mr. Devereux would not let him stand.’

‘No,’ said Jane.  ’Since he married that dissenting wife he never comes near the church; he is too much like the sour Gage, as we call his mother, to be good for much.  But, after all, he is not so bad as Dick Rodd, who has never been confirmed, and has never shown any sense of religion in his life.’

’Yes, Miss, Dick Rodd is a sad fellow:  did you hear what a row there was at the Mohun Arms last week, Miss Jane?’

‘Aye,’ said Jane, ’and papa says he shall certainly turn Dick Rodd out of the house as soon as the lease is out, and it is only till next Michaelmas twelve-months.’

’Yes, Miss, as I said to Betsy Wall, it would be more for their interest to behave well.’

‘Indeed it would,’ said Jane.  ’Robert and papa were talking of having their horses shod at Stoney Bridge, if Tom Naylor will be so obstinate, only papa does not like to give Tom up if he can help it, because his father was so good, and Tom would not be half so bad if he had not married one of the Gages.’

‘Here is Cousin Robert coming down the lane,’ said Ada, who had chosen her cotton, and was gazing from the door.  Jane gave a violent start, took a hurried leave of Mrs. Appleton, and set out towards home; she could not avoid meeting her cousin.

‘Oh, Jenny! have you been enjoying a gossip with your great ally?’ said he.

‘We have only been buying pink cotton,’ said Ada, whose conscience was clear.

‘Ah!’ said Mr. Devereux, ’Beechcroft affairs would soon stand still, without those useful people, Mrs. Appleton, Miss Wall, and Miss Jane Mohun,’ and he passed on.  Jane felt her face colouring, his freedom from suspicion made her feel very guilty, but the matter soon passed out of her mind.