'What were you talking to Uncle Howroyd about?' demanded Sarah, who did not want to talk about her hands any longer.
'The heavy woollen trade,' replied her brother promptly.
'That wasn't what you came down to see Uncle Howroyd about. A lot you know of the heavy woollen trade or any other trade! Besides, that came out too pat. What you came down to Ousebank for was just the same thing that I came for.'
'I should not have said so,' replied George dryly, with a significant glance at her hands.
'It was, all the same. You came to ask Uncle Howroyd what he meant by talking about the workhouse last night, and so did I; but I thought one of us was enough to ask that question, so now just tell me what he said.'
If George was taken aback by her astuteness, he did not say so, but answered simply, 'He said he did not mean anything, and that there was no chance of the workhouse for us more than for him.'
'Do you believe that?' asked Sarah.
'He said there was no more chance of our going to the workhouse than his going there,' repeated George.
'Do you believe that?' repeated Sarah.
'No, I do not,' said George gravely.