They were armed with mattocks and pickaxes; but as the peaceful little cottage rose before them, with blind old Fern basking in the warm sunshine, and little Nan playing quietly about the door-sill, the men gathered into a little knot, and stood still with an irresolute and ashamed aspect.
'They know nothing about it,' said William Morris; 'look at them, as easy and unconcerned as lambs.

I was afeared there'd be a upshot, when the master were after old Fern so long.

I don't half like the job; and Stephen isn't here.

He does look a bit like a man, and we could argy with him; but that old man, and that girl--they'll take on so.' 'I say, Martha,' shouted a bolder-hearted man, 'hasn't the master let thee know thee must turn out to-day?
He wants to lay the foundation of a new house, and get the walls up afore the frost comes on; and we are come to pick the old place to the ground.

He only told us an hour ago, or we'd have seen thee was ready.' 'I don't believe thee; thee's only romancing,' said Martha, turning very pale.