Therainynighthadusheredinamistymorning—halffrost, halfdrizzle—andtemporarybrookscrossedourpath, ; Iwascrossandlow: exactlythehumoursuitedformakingthemostofthesedisagreeablethings.
Weenteredthefarm-housebythekitchenway, ; becauseIputslightfaithinhisownaffirmation.
Josephseemedsittinginasortofelysiumalone, besidearoaringfire; aquartofaleonthetablenearhim, bristlingwithlargepiecesoftoastedoatcake; andhisblack, shortpipeinhismouth.
? Myquestionremainedsolongunanswered, thatIthoughttheoldmanhadgrowndeaf, andrepeateditlouder.
‘Na—ay!’ hesnarled, orratherscreamedthroughhisnose.‘Na—ay! yahmuhgoabackwhearyahcoomfrough.’
‘Joseph!’ criedapeevishvoice, simultaneouslywithme, fromtheinnerroom.‘HowoftenamItocallyou? ! comethismoment.’
Vigorouspuffs, andaresolutestareintothegrate, ; onegoneonanerrand, andtheotherathiswork, ’stonesandentered.
‘Oh, Ihopeyou’lldieinagarret! starvedtodeath,’ saidtheboy, mistakingourapproachforthatofhisnegligentattendant.
Hestopped, onobservinghiserror; hiscousinflewtohim.
‘Isthatyou, MissLinton?’ hesaid, raisinghisheadfromthearmofthegreatchair, inwhichhereclined.‘No—don’—dearme! Papasaidyouwouldcall,’ continuedhe, afterrecoveringalittlefromCatherine’sembrace; whileshestoodbylookingverycontrite.‘Willyoushutthedoor, ifyouplease? youleftitopen; andthose—thosedetestablecreatureswon’’ssocold!’
Istirredupthecinders, ; buthehadatiresomecough, andlookedfeverishandill, soIdidnotrebukehistemper.
