That lady was inclined to look somewhat uneasily upon the operation; for the grate had been used constantly throughout a long winter, and the chimney had not been swept since last spring, whereby Mrs.Tadman was conscious of a great accumulation of soot about the massive old brickwork and ponderous beams that spanned the wide chimney.

She had sent for the Malsham sweep some weeks ago; but that necessary individual had not been able to come on the particular day she wished, and the matter had been since then neglected.

She remembered this now with a guilty feeling, more especially as Stephen had demanded a blazing fire, with flaring pine-logs piled half-way up the chimney.

He came back to the parlour presently, arrayed in an old suit of clothes which he kept for such occasions--an old green coat with basket buttons, and a pair of plaid trousers of an exploded shape and pattern--and looking more like a pinched and pallid scarecrow than a well-to-do farmer.

Mrs.Tadman had only carried out his commands in a modified degree, and he immediately ordered the servant to put a couple of logs on the fire, and then drew the table close up to the hearth, and sat down to his tea with some appearance of satisfaction.