d; 'you've quite
enough on your hands. Dick don't care--not he; he couldn't look more
high-flyin' if someone had left him a fortune. He says it's the best
thing as could happen. Nay, I can't explain; he'll tell you plenty soon
as he gets in. Cut yourself some meat, child, do, and don't wait for me
to help you. See, I'll turn you out some potatoes; you don't care for
the greens, I know.'

The fry had hissed vigorously whilst this conversation went on; the
results were brown and unctuous.

'Now, if it ain't too bad!' cried the old woman, losing self-control.
'That 'Arry gets later every Sunday, and he knows very well as I have to
wait for the beer till he comes.'

I'll fetch it,' said Emma, rising.

'You indeed! I'd like to see Dick if he caught me a-sending you to the
public-house.'

'He won't mind it for once.'

'You get on with your supper, do. It's only my fidgetiness; I can do
very well a bit longer. And Alice, where's she off to, I wonder? What it
is to have a girl that age! I wish they was all like you, Emma. Get on
with your supper, I tell you, or you'll make me angry. Now, it ain't no
use taking it to 'eart in that way. I see what you're worritin' over.
Dick ain't the man to be out o' work long.'

'But won't it be the same at his next place?' Emma inquired. She was
trying to eat, but it was a sad pretence.

'Nay, there's no telling. It's no good my talkin' to him. Why don't you
see what you can do, Emma? 'Tain't as if he'd no one but his own self to
think about Don't you think you could make him see that? If anyone has
a right to speak, it's you. Tell him as he'd ought to have a bit more
thought. It's wait, wait, wait, and likely to be if things go on like
this. Speak up and tell him as--'

'Oh, I couldn't do that!' murmured Emma. 'Dick knows best.'

She stopped to listen; there was a noise above as of people entering the
house.

'Here they come at last,' said Mrs. Mutimer. 'Hear him laughin'? Now,
don't you be so ready to laugh with him. Let him see as it ain't such
good fun to everybody.'

Heavy feet tramped down the stone stairs, amid a sound of loud laughter
and excited talk. The next moment the kitchen door was thrown open, and
two young men appeared. The one in advance was Richard Mutimer; behind
him came a friend of the family, Daniel Dabbs.

'Well, what do you think of this?' Richard exclaimed as he shook Emma's
hands rather carelessly. 'Mother been putting you out of spirits, I
suppose?