So he departed; and you can't think how pleasant
our homely sitting-room looked with his coat and stick in it--guarantees of
his return.
'Do you think, Milly, he is going to speak about the timber, you know, that
Cousin Knollys spoke of? I do hope not.'
'So do I,' said Milly. 'I wish he'd stayed a bit longer with us first, for
if he does, father will sure to turn him out of doors, and we'll see no
more of him.'
'Exactly, my dear Milly; and he's so pleasant and good-natured.'
'And he likes you awful well, he does.'
'I'm sure he likes us both equally, Milly; he talked a great deal to you at
Elverston, and used to ask you so often to sing those two pretty Lancashire
ballads,' I said; 'but you know when you were at your controversies and
religious exercises in the window, with that pillar of the church, the Rev.
Spriggs Biddlepen--'
'Get awa' wi' your nonsense, Maud; how could I help answering when he
dodged me up and down my Testament and catechism?--an I 'most hate him, I
tell you, and Cousin Knollys, you're such fools, I do. And whatever you
say, the lord likes you uncommon, and well you know it, ye hussy.
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