“Assuredly, dear Uncle; but I pray, how came you hither?”
“Dat shall I tell you,” said Mrs Altham, “for oderwise you shall not know what good uncle you have. He promise to take me to mine own home in Dutchland, to see my greatmoder and mine aunts; and when we nigh ready were, he say, ‘See you, now! shall we not go round by Derbyshire, to see Amphillis, and sail from Hull?’ So we come round all dis way; he miss you so, and want to make him sure you be well and kindly used. See you?”
“How kind and good are you both!” said Amphillis, gratefully. “Pray you, good Aunt Regina, came Ricarda home safe?”
“She came safe, and she had but de scold well, tanks to your message; if not, she had de beat, beat, I ensure you, and she deserve dat full well. She was bad girl, bad. Said I not to you, De mans is bad, and de womans is badder? It is true.”
“She’s a weary hussy!” said Mr Altham; “but she’s been a sight better maid sithence she came back. She saith ’tis thy doing, Phyllis.”
“Mine?” exclaimed Amphillis.
“She saith so. I wis not how. And art happy here, my maid? Doth thy dame entreat thee well? and be thy fellows pleasant company? Because if no, there’s room for thee in the patty-shop, I can tell thee. Saundrina’s wed, and Ricarda looks to be, and my wife and I should be full fain to have thee back for our daughter. Howbeit, if thou art here welsome and comfortable, we will not carry thee off against thy will. What sayest?”
“Truly, dear Uncle, I am here full welsome, saving some small matters of little moment; and under your good pleasure, I would fain not go hence so long as one liveth that is now sore sick in this house, and nigh to death. Afterward, if it like you to dispose of me otherwise, I am alway at your bidding.”
“Well said. But what should best like thee?”
Amphillis felt the question no easy one. She would not wish to leave Perrote; but if Perrote took the veil, that obstacle would be removed; and even if she did not, Amphillis had no certain chance of accompanying her wherever she might go, which would not improbably be to Drayton Manor. To leave the rest of her present companions would be no hardship at all, except—