She saw that he was glad to perceive that her efforts to reach the remainder of the story were baulked! this nettled her, and, determined not to let him have his malicious triumph, and still more to put a stop to any attempt at private conversation, she began to sing to herself as she sat at her work; till, suddenly seized with a desire to help her mother, she dexterously slipped down from her seat, passed Hepburn, and was on her knees toasting cakes right in front of the fire, and just close to her father and Kinraid.

And now the noise that Hepburn had so rejoiced in proved his foe.

He could not hear the little merry speeches that darted backwards and forwards as the specksioneer tried to take the toasting-fork out of Sylvia's hand.
'How comes that sailor chap here ?' asked Hepburn of his aunt.

'He's none fit to be where Sylvia is.' 'Nay, I dunnot know,' said she; 'the Corneys made us acquaint first, and my master is quite fain of his company.' 'And do you like him, too, aunt ?' asked Hepburn, almost wistfully; he had followed Mrs.Robson into the dairy on pretence of helping her.
'I'm none fond on him; I think he tells us traveller's tales, by way o' seeing how much we can swallow.

But the master and Sylvia think that there never was such a one.' 'I could show them a score as good as he down on the quayside.' 'Well, laddie, keep a calm sough.