Sylvia gave a little start and dropped her ball of worsted.

Kester made as though absorbed in his task of cajoling Black Nell; but his eyes and ears were both vigilant.
'I was going into the house, but I saw yo'r mother asleep, and I didn't like to waken her, so I just came on here.

Is yo'r father to the fore ?' 'No,' said Sylvia, hanging down her head a little, wondering if he could have heard the way in which she and Kester had been talking, and thinking over her little foolish jokes with anger against herself.

'Father is gone to Winthrop about some pigs as he's heerd on.

He'll not be back till seven o'clock or so.' It was but half-past five, and Sylvia in the irritation of the moment believed that she wished Kinraid would go.