So the fly was ordered to take her out to Folking, and on the morning fixed she dressed herself in her blackest black. She always wore brown or black,--brown being the colour suitable for the sober and sad domesticities of her week-days, which on ceremonies and Sabbath was changed for a more solemn black. But in her wardrobe there were two such gowns, one of which was apparently blacker than the other, nearer to a guise of widowhood,--more fit, at any rate, for general funereal obsequies. There are women who seem always to be burying someone; and Mrs. Bolton, as she went forth to visit her daughter, was fit to bury any one short of her husband. It was a hot day in August, and the fly travelled along the dusty road very slowly. She had intended to reach Folking at twelve, so that her interview might be over and that she might return without the need of eating. There is always some idea of festivity connected with food eaten at a friend's table, and she did not wish to be festive. She was, too, most unwilling to partake of John Caldigate's bread. But she did not reach the house till one, and when she knocked at the door Hester's modest lunch was about to be put upon the table. There was considerable confusion when the servant saw Mrs. Bolton standing in the doorway. It was quite understood by everyone at Folking that for the present there was to be no intercourse between the Boltons and the Caldigates. It was understood that there should be no visitors of any kind at Folking, and it had been thought that Mr. Smirkie had forced an entrance in an impertinent manner. But yet it was not possible to send Mrs. Bolton from her own daughter's door with a mere 'not at home.' Of course she was shown in,--and was taken to the parlour, in which the lunch was prepared, while word was taken up to Hester announcing that her mother was there. Mr. Caldigate was in the house,--in his own book-room, as it used to be called,--and Hester went to him first. 'Mamma is here,--in the dining-room.' 'Your mother!' 'I long to see mamma.' 'Of course you do.' 'But she will want me to go away with her.' 'She cannot take you unless you choose to go.' 'But she will speak of nothing else. I know it. I wish she had not come.' 'Surely, Hester, you can make her understand that your mind is made up.' 'Yes, I shall do that. I must do that. But, father, it will be very painful. You do not know what things she can say. It nearly killed me when I was at the Grange. You will not see her, I suppose?' 'If you wish it, I will. She will not care to see me; and as things are at present, what room is there for friendship?' 'You will come if I send for you?' 'Certainly. If you send for me I will come at once.'