She occupied herself with taking off her baby's walking things.

Hester lingered, anxious to soothe and make peace; she was looking sorrowfully at Sylvia, when she saw tears dropping on the baby's cloak, and then it seemed as if she must speak a word of comfort before going to the shop-work, where she knew she was expected by both Philip and Coulson.

She poured out a cup of tea, and coming close up to Sylvia, and kneeling down by her, she whispered,-- 'Just take him this into t' ware-room; it'll put all to rights if thou'll take it to him wi' thy own hands.' Sylvia looked up, and Hester then more fully saw how she had been crying.

She whispered in reply, for fear of disturbing her mother,-- 'I don't mind anything but his speaking ill on me to mother.

I know I'm for iver trying and trying to be a good wife to him, an' it's very dull work; harder than yo' think on, Hester,--an' I would ha' been home for tea to-night only I was afeared of baby getting wet wi' t' storm o' hail as we had down on t' shore; and we sheltered under a rock.