"The green tea, remember, Jess. And be sure the water is boiling."
"Oh, aye." Jess swung her head from side to side, and winked, when Barbara's back was turned, at the hind. She knew what to expect from Mistress Lynn if the old woman was not pleased with her ministrations.
"I'll speak soft and go quiet," she replied, tip-toeing into the dairy with no very light tread.
Barbara drew back the curtains of the four-poster, and looked in; she knew that Mistress Lynn was awake.
"I'm just off," she said, "Lucy will be up some time during the morning. Jess will look after you till then."
The old woman raised herself upon her pillows.
"Joel Hart comes back to-day," she remarked, her eyes brightening with pleasure.
"He should arrive about now if he caught the coach."
"I shouldn't wonder if he paid me a visit before long—eh?"
"Very likely, great-granny."