"Potts may set out 'o that journey, boh he winna come back again," remarked Jem, in a sombre tone. "Wait till yo'n seen your gran-mother efore ye do owt, lad," said Elizabeth. "Ay, wait," added a voice. "What's that?" demanded Jem, laving down his knife and fork. Elizabeth did not answer in words, but her significant looks were quite response enough for her son. "Os ye win, mother," he said in an altered tone. After a pause, employed in eating, he added, "Did Mistress Nutter put onny questions to ye about Alizon?" "More nor enough, lad," replied Elizabeth; "fo what had ey to tell her? She praised her beauty, an said how unlike she wur to Jennet an thee, lad--ha! ha!--An wondert how ey cum to ha such a dowter, an monny other things besoide. An what could ey say to it aw, except--" "Except what, mother?" interrupted Jem. "Except that she wur my child just os much os Jennet an thee!" "Humph!" exclaimed Jem. "Humph!" echoed the voice that had previously spoken. Jem looked at his mother, and took a long pull at the ale-jug. "Any more messages to Malkin Tower?" he asked, getting up. "Neaw--mother will onderstond," replied Elizabeth. "Bid her be on her guard, fo' the enemy is abroad." "Meanin' Potts?" said Jem. "Meaning Potts," answered the voice. "There are strange echoes here," said Jem, looking round suspiciously. At this moment, Tib came from under a piece of furniture, where he had apparently been lying, and rubbed himself familiarly against his legs. "Ey needna be afeerd o' owt happenin to ye, mother," said Jem, patting the cat's back. "Tib win tay care on yo." "Eigh, eigh," replied Elizabeth, bending down to pat him, "he's a trusty cat." But the ill-tempered animal would not be propitiated, but erected his back, and menaced her with his claws. "Yo han offended him, mother," said Jem. "One word efore ey start. Are ye quite sure Potts didna owerhear your conversation wi' Mistress Nutter?" "Why d'ye ask, Jem?" she replied. "Fro' summat the knave threw out to Squoire Nicholas just now," rejoined Jem. "He said he'd another case o' witchcraft nearer whoam. Whot could he mean?" "Whot, indeed?" cried Elizabeth, quickly. "Look at Tib," exclaimed her son. As he spoke, the cat sprang towards the inner door, and scratched violently against it. Elizabeth immediately raised the latch, and found Jennet behind it, with a face like scarlet. "Yo'n been listenin, ye young eavesdropper," cried Elizabeth, boxing her ears soundly; "take that fo' your pains--an that." "Touch me again, an Mester Potts shan knoa aw ey'n heer'd," said the little girl, repressing her tears. Elizabeth regarded her angrily; but the looks of the child were so spiteful, that she did not dare to strike her. She glanced too at Tib; but the uncertain cat was now rubbing himself in the most friendly manner against Jennet. "Yo shan pay for this, lass, presently," said Elizabeth.