Her mother looked at her anxiously, and then said in the same manner of forced cheerfulness which she had used before,-- 'Here's Philip, lass, a' full o' Lunnon; call thy father in, an we'll hear a' about t' new-fangled pleughs.

It'll be rare an' nice a' sitting together again.' Sylvia, silent and docile, went out to the shippen to obey her mother's wish.

Bell Robson leant forward towards Philip, misinterpreting the expression on his face, which was guilt as much as sympathy, and checked the possible repentance which might have urged him on at that moment to tell all he knew, by saying, 'Lad! it's a' for t' best.

He were noane good enough for her; and I misdoubt me he were only playin' wi' her as he'd done by others.

Let her a-be, let her a-be; she'll come round to be thankful.' Robson bustled in with loud welcome; all the louder and more talkative because he, like his wife, assumed a cheerful manner before Sylvia.