Mrs.Nixey, who could understand nothing of their silent speech, was staring at them inquisitively, as if trying to discover what they said by the expression of their faces.
"Ask thy father if he's made his will," she said.

"I've heard say as land canno' go to a woman if there's no will; and it'ud niver do for Upfold to go to a far-away stranger.

May be he reckons on all he has goin' to you quite natural.

But there's law agen' it; the agent told me so years ago.

I niver heard of any relations thy father had, but they'll find what's called an heir-at-law, take my word for it, if he doesn't leave iver a will." But, instead of answering, Phebe rushed past her up the steep, dark staircase, and Mrs.Nixey heard her sobbing and crying in the little room above.