“Ay, an’ young folk, too,” remarked one of the others.
“Young folk!” exclaimed Mrs Gore, as she shaded her eyes from the sun with her hand, and gazed earnestly at the band which was approaching.
Suddenly one of them ran a little in advance of the rest, and waved a handkerchief. The figure was a small one. A faint cheer was heard in the distance. It was followed, or rather accompanied, by a loud, manly, and well-known shout.
Mrs Gore grew pale, and would have fallen to the ground had not Jeff caught and supported her.
“Why, I do declare it’s Robin—an’—eh! if there beant the children wi’ ’im!”
The advancing party broke into a run as he spoke, another loud cheer burst forth, and in a few seconds Nelly was locked once more in her dear mother’s arms.