Herring put his hands to his brow. He was dazed. He could not understand Joyce’s presence there and then. ’What a mighty long time you’ve a been away from West Wyke, maister! But, sure, I have been away a bit too. I’ve a been with Farmer Facey to Coombow. I sed I’d go to ’n, and work out the hire of the waggon as brought you home after you were nigh upon killed by Cap’n Sampson Tramplara, and I did it. I went there, and I were there two whole months by the moon. Both Farmer Facey and his wife sed I did more work than two men. But, sure, this fire be beautiful. I’ve a been out in the snow and wind all day, and the most of the night too.’ Herring looked inquiringly at her. ’Where have you come from, Joyce?’ ’Where have I come from? Where else, sure, but from West Wyke. I be come to look for you, and to bring’y the stockings I’ve a knitted. I sed I would, and I’ve a done it. ’I do not understand, Joyce. From West Wyke?’ ’Sure-ly.’ ’Not to-day, and in this storm?’ ’I’ve not done this all in a day once for all, but I’ve been a foot all to-day, I can tell’y. It were hard walking. But see——’ she held out her feet; they were stockinged and shod. ’Bain’t that vitty’ (tidy), ’and bain’t I peart’ (smart)? ’You should ha’ seen mun, though, when they was new and beautiful; but I’ve a been so stogged in snow that they be now wetted through and through, and all their beauty washed out of ’em.’ ’You have walked here?’ Herring was coming out of his dazed condition into one of wonder at Joyce. ’Sure I have. I’ll tell’y all about it, but I must sit me down by the fire; I be that stiff and tired I can scarce stand.’ ’Joyce, what is the meaning of your coming?’ ’I’ll tell’y all right on end from beginning till now. I sed I’d a been working for Farmer Facey to Coombow.’ ’What for?’ ’Did you not hear me say it? He lent his waggon to dray you home to West Wyke, after you was nigh upon killed.’ ’Well, what then?’ ’Sure he wanted to be paid for it. There were a waggon and two horses for a day, and there were that boy, Jim White, along of them.’ ’Why did you not tell me? I would have paid.’ ’No,’ answered Joyce, ’it were I as had the care of you. I sed I would do that, and I did it. I went and worked out the hire of the waggon and of Jim White myself.’ Herring looked at her with amazement. ’I cannot allow this,’ he said.