“Nay, Passon, dinnat fret aboot Elsie. She’s none t’ warse for a sudden stop. She was ower-excited. Where’s yon lass o’ Mrs. Saumarez’s?”
“Gone home with her mother. I hear they are leaving Elmsdale.”
“A good riddance!” said John heartily. He turned to Martin. “Ye’ll be winded again, I reckon?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, I left my ash stick i’ t’ low yard. Mebbe you an’ t’ young leddy will fetch it. There’s noa need te hurry.”
This was an oblique instruction to the boy to make himself scarce for half an hour. With Elsie as a companion he needed no urging. They set off, happy as grigs.
“Noo, afore ye start te fill t’ vicar wi’ wunnerment,” cried Martha, “I want te ax t’ colonel a question.”
“What is it, Mrs. Bolland?”
Colonel Grant was smiling at the vicar’s puzzled air. These good people knew naught of formal introductions.
“How old is t’ lad?”