thought she might come in any minute, and so went out at the back door,
so that I heard them all the better."

"They never thought of that! Well?"

"They mean to come on Greenhow, ask for money and arms, break up the
machine, and burn the ricks if they don't get what they want. Father
said they might be sure of the Downhill men, and most of 'em here, for
they all hate that there machine that is to starve poor folk in winter
time; and those that were not of that way would be afraid to hold back,
or they would show them the reason why."

"And the captain away. It is enough to be the death of madam and the
little ones."

"That's just what I thought. Oh, Johnnie dear, can't you help to save
them, and hinder it?"

"Master wouldn't go along with such doings," said John.

"I wouldn't answer for George! He's a steady man, and would do no harm
if he's let alone; but he's a mortal fearsome one! No, John, there's no
help for it, but that you should get over in time to fetch the captain,
and let him take away the ladies, or stand up for them. He'll know what
to be at!"

"But will it get father into trouble?" asked John.

"Not among so many. He's sharp enough. The captain, if he were only at
home, would see how to get them away. Anyway, think of the poor ladies
and the little children!"

John stood for a minute or two by the window thinking, while Judith sat
up in her bed gazing at him with eager, anxious eyes; and at last he
turned back, and would have spoken aloud but that she raised her hand to
caution him. He knelt down again beside her, and said, "No, aunt, I
couldn't rest to think of all those rough brutes of chaps from we don't
know where coming and playing their rigs, and bullying the ladies, with
no one to help. There was a lady frightened to death with them,--master
was reading it out in the paper. Yes, I'll go and fetch the captain
home to take care of them. Where is he?"

"Miss Sophy told me he was at the hotel at Minsterham with a lot of
them. Have you ever been there, Johnnie?"

"Yes. Once I went with master in the cart when he wanted a bit of
mahogany wood for Mrs Goodenough's chairs. It is a long way," said
Johnnie, looking wistfully at the darkening window; "but I'll do it,
please God."

"Yes. Please God, and He will help you. You've had your tea. No!
Well, drink up this,--it is cold enough--and take this hunch of bread.
I am afraid there's nothing better to be had. And here's s