"Why did you bring Helen?" Mrs. Prockter demanded.
"I didna'. She come hersen."
They exchanged glances.
"And now she and Emanuel have run off."
"It looks to me," said James, "as if your plan for knocking their two heads together wasna' turning out as you meant it, missis."
"And what's more," said she, "I do believe that Emanuel wants me to buy this place so that when I'm gone he can make a big splash here with your niece and your money, Mr. Ollerenshaw! What do you think of that?"
"He may make as much splash as he's a mind to, wi' my niece," James answered. "But he won't make much of a splash with my money, I can promise ye." His orbs twinkled. "I can promise ye," he repeated.
"To whom do you mean to leave it, then?"
"Not to his wife."
"H'm! Well, as we're here, I suppose we may as well see what there is to be seen. And those two dreadful young people must be found."