"Well,—not so fast, Mr. Fenwick, certainly."
"I suppose it won't signify about the frost?" said the Vicar. "I should be inclined to think that the mortar will want repointing."
Mr. Packer had nothing to say to this. He was not responsible for the building. He endeavoured to explain that the Marquis had nothing to do with the work, and had simply given the land.
"Which was all that he could do," said the Vicar, laughing.
It was on the same day and while Packer was still standing close to him, that Fanny Brattle accosted him. When he had greeted the young woman and perceived that she wished to speak to him, he withdrew within his own gate, and asked her whether there was anything that he could do for her. She had a letter in her hand, and after a little hesitation she asked him to read it. It was from her brother, and had reached her by private means. A young man had brought it to her when her father was in the mill, and had then gone off, declining to wait for any answer.
"Father, sir, knows nothing about it as yet," she said.
Mr. Fenwick took the letter and read it. It was as follows:—
Dear Sister,
I want you to help me a little, for things is very bad with me. And it is not for me neither, or I'd sooner starve nor ax for a sixpence from the mill. But Carry is bad too, and if you've got a trifle or so, I think you'd be of a mind to send it. But don't tell father, on no account. I looks to you not to tell father. Tell mother, if you will; but I looks to her not to mention it to father. If it be so you have two pounds by you, send it to me in a letter, to the care of
Muster Thomas Craddock,
Number 5, Crooked Arm Yard,
Cowcross Street,
City of London.My duty to mother, but don't say a word to father, whatever you do. Carry don't live nowhere there, nor they don't know her.
Your affectionate brother,
Sam Brattle.
"Have you told your father, Fanny?"
"Not a word, sir."