“Go down, my dear, as I told you,” said Judith, with a little unwonted tone of impatience, which made the youth certain that she had something important to tell him; and as soon as the little girl began clumping down the stairs, she held out her hand and said in the lowest of voices, “Come near, Johnnie, that you may hear.” He came near; she put out her hand to pull him on his knees, so that his ear might be close to her, and whispered, “Jack Swing is coming to Greenhow to-morrow.”
“The captain away! How do you know?”
“A man came and talked with your father in the back garden—just under this window. Mother had run up to shop for a bit of soap; but they thought she might come in any minute, and so went out at the back door, so that I heard them all the better.”
“They never thought of that! Well?”
“They mean to come on Greenhow, ask for money and arms, break up the machine, and burn the ricks if they don’t get what they want. Father said they might be sure of the Downhill men, and most of ’em here, for they all hate that there machine that is to starve poor folk in winter time; and those that were not of that way would be afraid to hold back, or they would show them the reason why.”
“And the captain away. It is enough to be the death of madam and the little ones.”
“That’s just what I thought. Oh, Johnnie dear, can’t you help to save them, and hinder it?”
“Master wouldn’t go along with such doings,” said John.
“I wouldn’t answer for George! He’s a steady man, and would do no harm if he’s let alone; but he’s a mortal fearsome one! No, John, there’s no help for it, but that you should get over in time to fetch the captain, and let him take away the ladies, or stand up for them. He’ll know what to be at!”
“But will it get father into trouble?” asked John.