At that Greeba felt a tingling on both sides her heart, for her fears were many of the welcome that awaited them.
It was nigh upon noon, and the men were out in the fields; but Mrs. Fairbrother was at home, and she saw the three when they opened the gate and came down under the elms.
"Now, I thought as much," she said within herself, "and I warrant I know their errand."
Adam entered the house with what cheer of face he could command, being hard set to keep back his tears, and hailed his wife in a jovial tone, although his voice threatened to break, and sat himself down in his old seat by the chimney corner, with his blackthorn stick between his knees and his hands resting upon it. But Mrs. Fairbrother made no answer to his greeting, and only glanced from him to Greeba who tripped softly behind him, and from Greeba to Chalse, who came shambling in after them, vacantly scratching his uncovered head. Then, drawing herself up, and holding back her skirts, she said very coldly, while her wrinkled face twitched—
"And pray what ill wind blows you here?"
"An ill wind indeed, Ruth," Adam answered, "for it is the wind of adversity. You must have heard of our misfortune since the whole island knows of it. Well, it is not for me to complain, for God shapes our ways, and He knows what is best. But I am an old man now, Ruth, little able to look to myself, still less to another, and——"
While he spoke, Mrs. Fairbrother tapped her foot impatiently, and then broke in with—
"Cut it short, sir. What do you want?"
Adam lifted his eyes with a stupefied look, and answered very quietly, "I want to come home, Ruth."
"Home!" cried Mrs. Fairbrother, sharply. "And what home if you please?"