he had bidden him go where his duty led him. She had
calculated the probable length of his absence, and the watch was laid on
the table as formerly: but she had used the utmost expedition in sewing
on the ring of his umbrella, and had kissed her hand to him from the
window with a smile. He would not return to her without having fully
discharged his errand. "She might be a soldier's or sailor's wife,
after all," thought he.

The hours of his absence were indeed very anxious ones to the family at
home. For nearly two hours, the sisters amused themselves and one
another as well as they could: but it was a great relief when Philip
came in. He would not believe anything they said, however, about their
reasons for fear. It was nonsense--it was Deerbrook talk. What harm
could a dozen old men and women, at almost a hundred years apiece, do to
Hope?--and the country people, the labourers round, they had their own
business to attend to: they would just swear an oath at him, and let him
pass; and if they ventured to lay a finger on his bridle, Hope knew how
to use his whip. He would come home, and get his dinner, and be very
dull, they would see, from having nothing to tell.--Before Philip had
finished his picture of the dull dining they might expect, Morris
entered, and shut the door before she came forward to the table and
spoke. She said she did not like to make mysteries, out of fear of
frightening people; and she hoped there would be nothing to be really
afraid of now: but if Mr Enderby thought he could contrive to meet her
master out on the road, and get him to leave his horse somewhere, and
come walking home by Turnstile Lane, she thought it would be best, and
save some bad language, at least. Charles had brought in word that
people--angry people--were gathering at the other end of the street, and
her master could quite disappoint them by coming home on foot the back
way.--How many angry people were there!--and what sort of people?--They
were mostly countrymen out of the places round--more of those than of
Deerbrook folks. There were a good many of them--so many as nearly to
block up the street at one part. If the ladies would step up into the
boy's attic, they would see something of what was going on, from the
little window there, without being seen.

Philip snatched his hat, and said he would soon bring them news. He
hoped they would go up to the attic, and amuse themselves with the show:
for a mere show it