Standin' on his feet! An' us all thinkin' he was a poor half-witted lad with not a straight bone in him." She asked a great many questions and her blue eyes were full of deep thinking.
"What do they make of it at th' Manor--him being so well an' cheerful an' never complainin' ?" she inquired.

"They don't know what to make of it," answered Dickon.

"Every day as comes round his face looks different.

It's fillin' out and doesn't look so sharp an' th' waxy color is goin'.

But he has to do his bit o' complainin'," with a highly entertained grin.
"What for, i' Mercy's name ?" asked Mrs.Sowerby.
Dickon chuckled.
"He does it to keep them from guessin' what's happened.