‘My certy! But that’s a good step!’ said Mary, who, like many of her class, was nothing of a walker. ‘We’re just goin’ to have our tay--won’t you draw up and have a sup, and a bit o’ summat to eyt?’ That homely, cordial Lancashire invitation, ‘Come and have a sup, and a bit o’ summat to eat’--what Lancashire ears are there that do not know it and love it for the kind thoughts it arouses? It went straight home to our lonely Adrienne: a mist rushed over her eyes; she said somewhat hesitatingly, ‘Oh, I should like it. You are very kind, but I fear----’ she half turned to Myles. ‘Myles, coom out o’ yon corner, and behave thisel’, mon! Thou can when thou’s a mind to,’ said Mary, briskly. ‘Now draw up,’ she added to Adrienne. ‘Tak’ off your hat, and I’st hang it up, so! And Myles’ll see you home. He’s got nowt to do to-neet.’ Mary must have been inspired when she made this suggestion. ‘Oh, I need not trouble him now,’ said Adrienne, with a radiant smile upon the approaching Myles--‘unless he has forgotten the way to my uncle’s house, as I begin to think.’ ‘It’s much better I should go with you. It’s Saturday evening,’ said Myles, seating himself beside her, and throwing a fleeting glance towards her face. She was content, pleased, even flattered at the friendly way in which she had been received. Her expression said that as plainly as words could do. Myles began to lose some of his bewilderment, and to gain somewhat more confidence. ‘Eh, I’ve forgotten th’ mowffins!’ said Mary, suddenly, a shade crossing her face. ‘We mun really wait while I toast the mowffins.’ She jumped up and produced tea-cakes out of a cupboard, and Myles suggested that perhaps it did not matter about the muffins. Mary was, however, firm, and bade him cut some bread-and-butter while she toasted. ‘And mind thou cuts it nice and thin, and not all i’ lumps,’ she added in admonitory tones. Myles, much too simple-minded to see anything derogatory in cutting bread-and-butter, began, but in half a minute Adrienne had jumped up and laid hold of the knife. ‘Stop! That is clearly not your sphere,’ said she, laughing into his embarrassed, yet ever-attractive face. ‘It is not stern enough--not commanding enough. Let me do it.’ Unaware of the distinguished example set by the Wetzlar heroine in the bread-and-butter cutting line, Myles watched the deft fingers of his enchantress as if no woman had ever been known to cut bread-and-butter properly before. Mary, who grew visibly and every moment more satisfied with her guest, toasted the ‘mowffins,’ buttered them, and tea was proclaimed ready with acclamation. Then Edmund came to the table; they all sat there, and Mary made tea in state, apologising for not having the best tea-things because of the impromptu nature of the visit. ‘I am sure these seem delightful tea-things,’ said Adrienne, smiling.