"He told us," said he, "that he was intended for an apothecary, and had served his time to one, perhaps as a boy in the shop, to make up medicines; but I will not say—but he must be more skilled in that art, and more industrious, than in farming, to have had any success in it; but the truth is, he preferred idleness to work of any kind."
"And did you never hear him say who were his relations?" inquired Anna, still more inquisitively, and anxious to gain some intelligence of a parent still unknown to her.
"No," replied her uncle, "he told us he was born in Yorkshire, and that his parents were dead; but once I heard him mention a brother who was, as he said, in business in London, but I have consulted every directory I could since meet with, and could never find his name. But let us talk no more about your father, in all probability he is long since dead. Don't you want to hear some of our village news? you seem to have forgot all your country acquaintance; aunt, and cousins, and all."
"No, dear uncle, do not say so," replied Anna, "how are they all? do they wish for my return?"
"We begin to think your absence long," returned he, "and so does all in the village; though your aunt and cousins, agreeable to Mrs. Meridith's desire, are careful they should not want any comfort she would allow them, if she was at home; and it is our little Mary's business to carry round the weekly money to the old and infirm."
Anna said she believed they should soon return, as Mrs. Meridith had not renewed their lodgings; and that lady soon appeared, and confirmed the pleasing intelligence, saying, that in the course of another fortnight they should again be at Rosewood.
The farmer gladly returned with the welcome news, and the intervening time was spent by the ladies in take leave visits, and giving two or three routs at home, to make the visiting account even, between Mrs. Meridith and all her acquaintance.
"And then, my dear Anna," said she, "we will return to our own comfortable home; where, I doubt not, we shall see many happy faces at our approach, and all the beauties of the spring to excite our chearfulness. The gardens will be beautiful in a short time, and I doubt not but the old men have done their best endeavours, as they term it, to make them flourishing."