Lucy and Charlie betrayed no emotion either way; they were not pleased,
but the excitement of the affair amused and interested them, and they
might be said to be passive spectators. Ned, however, although he had
brought himself to be present, could not bring himself to look as if the
ceremony had his approval or sanction. He just glared, as Abijah, who
was present, afterward confided to some of her friends, as if he could
have killed the man as he stood. His look of undisguised hostility was
indeed noticed by all who were in church, and counted heavily against
him in the days which were to come.

CHAPTER X: TROUBLES AT HOME

It was not one of the least griefs of the young Sankeys connected with
their mother's wedding that Abijah was to leave them. It was she herself
who had given notice to Mrs. Sankey, saying that she would no longer
be required. The first time that she had spoken of her intentions, Mrs.
Sankey vehemently combated the idea, saying that neither she nor Lucy
could spare her; but she did not afterward return to the subject, and
seemed to consider it a settled thing that Abijah intended to leave.
Mrs. Sankey had, in fact, spoken to Mr. Mulready on the subject, but
instead of taking the view she had expected, he had said cheerfully:

"I am glad that she has given notice. I know that she is a valuable
woman and much attached to you. At the same time these old servants
always turn out a mistake under changed circumstances. She would never
have been comfortable or contented. She has, my dear if I may say so,
been mistress too long, and as I intend you to be mistress of my house,
it is much better that she should go."

As Mrs. Sankey had certain doubts herself as to whether Abijah would
be a success in the new home, the subject was dropped, and it became an
understood thing that Abijah would leave after the wedding.

The newly married couple were absent for three weeks. Until two days
before their return Abijah remained in the old house with the young
Sankeys; then they moved into their new home, and she went off to her
native village ten miles distant away on the moors. The next day there
was a sale at the old house. A few, a very few, of the things had been
moved. Everything else was sold, to the deep indignation of Ned, who was
at once grieved and angry that all the articles of furniture which he
associated with his father should be parted with. Abijah shared the
boy's feelings in this respect,