This had never struck me before; certainly there was no likeness between my brothers and sisters and myself.
"B—but," I stammered.
"No buts, my deer, I be'ant goin' to tell 'ee nothin' more, though ould Debrah do knaw lots ov things. There's no time, now, you've got other things to do, and a terrible lot to go through as soon as you git away. Hark, do 'ee 'ear that?"
It was the sound of the breakers upon the rugged rocks and hard sea sand, while the wind blew and moaned dismally.
"Dedn't ould Debrah tell 'ee ov a storm? Well, tes come, and, Roger, yer dark days es comin' on."
"But what did you mean by telling me to come here to hear what I have? I am sure of nothing."
"Main! I main this. Maaster Roger'll have to bee keerful of the woman he do call mawther. Watch her every day and watch Maaster Wilfred, too. Hark, do 'ee 'ear that?"
I heard nothing but the roar of the rising storm.
"I can hear nothing but the wind," I said.
"But I can, I can," she said. "I can hear the screech ov the sufferin'; oa tes wisht, terrible wisht, Maaster Roger, but tes yer fate, my deer. I'll tell 'ee more another time, but you must go now, go and help em, you father wants 'ee go, and be keerful of they I've tould 'ee about."