"Then you must have stolen the clothes," retorted his mother; "I'll be bound you didn't come by them honestly: not as they're much." While this pleasant conversation was going on Eva stood mute. She knew of old how impossible it was to stop Mrs. Merry's tongue, and thought it best to let her talk herself out. But the last speech made Cain laugh, and he was cool enough to wink at Eva. She knew Cain so intimately, and really liked him so much in spite of his wickedness, that she did not take offence, but strove to turn from him the wrathful speech of his mother. "I am sure Cain has turned over a new leaf," she said, smiling. "He's turned over volumes of 'em," groaned Mrs. Merry, dashing down a pot on the range, "but each page is worst nor the last. Oh, I know what I'm saying," she went on triumphantly. "I was a farmer's daughter and had three years' schooling, not to speak of having mixed with the aristocracy in the person of your dear ma, Miss Eva, and your own blessed self as is always a lady. But Cain--oh, look at him." "He looks very well," said Eva, "and he looks hungry. Don't you think you might give him a meal, Mrs. Merry?" "Kill the fatted calf, as you might say," suggested Cain impudently. "Calf!" screeched Mrs. Merry, "you're one yourself, Cain, to talk like that with Miss Eva present. Ain't you got no respect?" "Miss Eva knows I mean no harm," said the goaded Cain. "Of course you don't," said Miss Strode; "come, Mrs. Merry, the boy's home for good now." "For bad, you mean." "I'm not home at all," said Cain unexpectedly. "I'm working at Westhaven, but I came over just to see my mother. If she don't want me I can go back to those who do," and he turned to go. "No. Stop," cried Mrs. Merry, whose bark was worse than her bite. "I shan't let a growing lad like you tramp back all them ten miles with a starving inside. Wait till I get this dinner off my mind, and the pair of us will sit down like Christians to eat it." Eva stared and laughed. "You forget nurse: this dinner is for my father. He should be here in a few minutes." Mrs. Merry turned grey. "I ain't forgot your dream, my dear. He'll never eat it for want of breath, nor you for sorrow. Now, Cain----" Miss Strode, who had a temper of her own, stamped a pretty slippered foot imperiously. "Hold your tongue, Mrs. Merry," she cried, the colour rising in her cheeks, "my father will arrive." The old woman glanced at the American clock which stood on the mantelpiece. The small hand pointed to eight. "He ain't come yet." "Cain," said Eva, turning, still flushed, to the lad, "you came along the Westhaven road?" Cain nodded. "Twenty minutes ago, Miss Eva," said he. "Did you see my father? No, you don't remember my father. Did you see a fly coming along?" "No. But then I didn't come along the road all the time. I took a short cut across country, Miss Eva. I'll just have a meal with mother, and then go back to my business."