If thee won't open the door, we'll be forced to take the thatch off.' 'I won't,' answered Martha,--'not for the lord of the manor himself.

The house is ours, and I 'ware any of you to touch it.

Go down to Stephen and hear what he'll say.

If thee takes the thatch off, thee shan't move me out.' But when the old stove-pipe, through which the last breath of the household fire had passed, was drawn up, and the blue sky could be seen through the cloud of dust and dirt with which the hut was filled, choking the helpless old man and the frightened child, Martha's courage failed her; and she went out, with little Nan clinging round her, and spoke as calmly to the invaders as her rising sobs would let her.
'You know it's grandmother's own house,' she said; 'and the lord of the manor himself has no right to it.

But I'll go down and fetch Stephen, if you'll only wait.' 'We daren't wait, Martha,' answered Morris kindly; 'and it's no use, lass; the master's too many for thee.