“This is the young lady who is stopping with Almiry this summer,” he explained, and I approached as if to give the countersign. She offered her left hand with considerable dignity, but her expression never seemed to change for the better. A moment later she said that she was pleased to meet me, and I felt as if the worst were over. William must have felt some apprehension, while I was only ignorant, as we had come across the field. Our hostess was more than disapproving, she was forbidding; but I was not long in suspecting that she felt the natural resentment of a strong energy that has been defeated by illness and made the spoil of captivity. “Mother well as usual since you was up last year?” and William replied by a series of cheerful nods. The mention of dear Mrs. Blackett was a help to any conversation. “Been fishin’, ashore,” he explained, in a somewhat conciliatory voice. “Thought you’d like a few for winter,” which explained at once the generous freight we had brought in the back of the wagon. I could see that the offering was no surprise, and that Mrs. Hight was interested. “Well, I expect they’re good as the last,” she said, but did not even approach a smile. She kept a straight, discerning eye upon me. “Give the lady a cheer,” she admonished William, who hastened to place close by her side one of the straight-backed chairs that stood against the kitchen wall. Then he lingered for a moment like a timid boy. I could see that he wore a look of resolve, but he did not ask the permission for which he evidently waited. “You can go search for Esther,” she said, at the end of a long pause that became anxious for both her guests. “Esther’d like to see her;” and William in his pale nankeens disappeared with one light step and was off. VI. “Don’t speak too loud, it jars a person’s head,” directed Mrs. Hight plainly. “Clear an’ distinct is what reaches me best. Any news to the Landin’?”