"
I was thinking of thee, John, and then I heard thy footsteps. I hev the best pot of tea in Yorkshire at my right hand; I'm sure thou wilt hev a cup."
"To be sure I will. It is one of the things I came for, and I want to talk to you half an hour."
"Say all that is in thy heart, and there's nothing helps talk, like a cup of good tea. Whatever does thou want to talk to me about?"
"I want to talk to you about Jane."
"Well then, be careful what thou says. No man's mother is a fair counselor about his wife. They will both say more than they ought to say, especially if she isn't present to explain; and when they don't fully understand, how can they advise?"
"You could not be unjust to anyone, mother?"
"Well, then?"
"She is so much better than she has ever been since the child went away."
"She is doing her best. Thou must help her with all thy heart and soul."