And an entry in one of the local papers had suggested to her that Hurd might possibly find work in a parish some miles from Mellor.

She must go and send him off there.
When Mrs.Hurd opened the door to her, Marcella was astonished to perceive behind her the forms of several other persons filling up the narrow space of the usually solitary cottage--in fact, a tea-party.
"Oh, come in, miss," said Mrs.Hurd, with some embarrassment, as though it occurred to her that her visitor might legitimately wonder to find a person of her penury entertaining company.

Then, lowering her voice, she hurriedly explained: "There's Mrs.Brunt come in this afternoon to help me wi' the washin' while I finished my score of plait for the woman who takes 'em into town to-morrow.

And there's old Patton an' his wife--you know 'em, miss ?--them as lives in the parish houses top o' the common.

He's walked out a few steps to-day.