Her uncle's head followed her to the door, where she dallied to catch a last impression of the young stranger's lowering face, and darted through.
Farmer Blaize laughed and chuckled.

"She an't so fond of her uncle as that, every day! Not that she an't a good nurse--the kindest little soul you'd meet of a winter's walk! She'll read t' ye, and make drinks, and sing, too, if ye likes it, and she won't be tired.

A obstinate good 'un, she be! Bless her!" The farmer may have designed, by these eulogies of his niece, to give his visitor time to recover his composure, and establish a common topic.

His diversion only irritated and confused our shame-eaten youth.
Richard's intention had been to come to the farmer's threshold: to summon the farmer thither, and in a loud and haughty tone then and there to take upon himself the whole burden of the charge against Tom Bakewell.

He had strayed, during his passage to Belthorpe, somewhat back to his old nature; and his being compelled to enter the house of his enemy, sit in his chair, and endure an introduction to his family, was more than he bargained for.