Elizabeth caught the news. “I wants un,” she wheezed. “Go ’way, parson! I wants a word along o’ Nicholas all alone.”
“She’ve a secret, sir,” Aunt Esther whispered.
Judith moved towards the door; but the parson beckoned her back, and she stood doubtfully.
“Mister Top! Mister Top!” Elizabeth called, desperate to help herself, to whom no heed was given.
In the fury of the gale––the rush past of wind and rain––the failing voice was lost.
“I ’low,” Aunt Esther warned, “’twould be wise, sir––”
“Have the man wait in the kitchen.”
Elizabeth lay helplessly whimpering.
“But, sir,” Aunt Esther protested, “she’ve––”