“Oh, they’re a chithering lot,” exclaimed Joe. “They’d seen thee talk to the bairn, or mebbe seen thee heving a walk wi’ her, and that weer enew to set their tongues clacking. But we must be going, mun, for we’re losing time; and if any one’s done wrong by my bairn—”
Richard shrank away, startled at the lurid flash from the old man’s eyes, as setting his teeth, and clenching his massive fist, he shook it at vacancy, and then, without another word, strode on, accompanied by Richard, who was trembling now like a leaf.
“Let me go in here for a moment or two,” said Richard, as they came abreast of the House; and as the door was thrown open, it was to show Mrs Glaire and Eve both standing dressed in the hall.
“Oh, Mr Banks,” exclaimed the latter, running to the old foreman, “this is very dreadful,” and she caught one of his hands in hers.
“Thanky’e, dear bairn, thanky’e,” he said, smiling upon her with quivering lip.
“But I saw her last night,” cried Eve.
“Ay? What time, miss, what time?” said Joe, eagerly.
“About eight,” said Eve, quickly. “She said, I think, that she was going to meet Richard.”
“She said that?” said the old man, starting, while Richard turned pale.
“No, I remember,” said Eve, piteously; “I told her she was going to meet him.”