of Hannah's recitals of the Three
Children and the burning fiery furnace, they thought it but a modest
demand upon her powers. But when--instead of beginning with the sonorous
"_Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations
and languages_"--when she wholly omitted any reference to "_the sound of
cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer_, and all kinds of
musick"--and essayed to tell the story in broad Gloucestershire and her
own bald words, the disappointed children fell upon her and thumped her
rudely upon the back; declaring her story to be "_kutcha_" and she,
herself, a _budmash_. Which, being interpreted, meant that her story was
most badly made and that she, herself, was a rascal.

Anne Chitt was much offended, and complained tearfully to Jan that she
"wouldn't 'ave said nothin' if they'd called 'er or'nery names, but them
there Injian words was more than she could abear."

CHAPTER XX

"ONE WAY OF LOVE"

Among the neighbours there was none more assiduous in the matter of
calls and other friendly manifestations than Mr. Huntly
Withells--emphasis on the "ells"--who lived at Guiting Grange, about a
couple of miles from Wren's End. Mr. Withells was settled at the Grange
some years before Miss Janet Ross left her house to Jan, and he was
already a person of importance and influence in that part of the county
when Anthony Ross and his daughters first spent a whole summer there.

Mr. Withells proved most neighbourly. He had artistic leanings himself,
and possessed some good pictures; among them, one of Anthony's, which
naturally proved a bond of union. He did not even so much as sketch,
himself--which Anthony considered another point in his favour--but he
was a really skilled photographer, possessed the most elaborate cameras,
and obtained quite beautiful results.

Since Jan's return from India he had completely won her heart by taking
a great many photographs of the children, pictures delightfully natural,
and finished as few amateurs contrive to present them.

It was rumoured in Amber Guiting that Mr. Withells' views on the
subject of matrimony were "peculiar"; but all the ladies, especially the
elderly ladies, were unanimous in declaring that he had a "beautiful
mind."

Mrs. Fream, the vicar's wife, timidly confided to Jan that Mr. Withells
had told her husband that he cared only for "spiritual marriage"--
whatever that might be; and that, as yet, he had met no woman