return of her great wild brother.
Not that he would hurt their guest, though unwelcome; or even show any
sort of rudeness to him; but more than ever now, since she heard of
Pet's furious onslaught upon the old soldier--which made her begin to
respect him a little--she longed to prevent any meeting between this
gallant and the rough Maunder. And that anxiety led her to look at Pet
with a melancholy kindness. Then Jack of the Smithies cut things short.

"Off's the word," he said, "if ever I expects to see home afore
daylight. All of these moors is known to me, and many's the time I have
tracked them all in sleep, when the round world was betwixt us. But
without any moon it is hard to do 'em waking; and the loss of my arm
sends me crooked in the dark. And as for young folk, they be all abroad
to once. With your leave, Master Bert, I'll be off immediate, after
getting all I wants, as the manner of the world is. My good missus will
be wondering what is come of me."

"You have spoken well," his host replied; "and I think we shall have a
heavy fall to-night. But this young gentleman must not go home alone. He
is not robust, and the way is long and rough. I have seen him shivering
several times. I will fetch my staff, and march with him."

"No, sir, I will not have such a thing done," the veteran answered,
sturdily. "If the young gentleman is a gentleman, he will not be afraid
for me to take him home, in spite of what he hath done to me. Speak up,
young man, are you frightened of me?"

"Not if you are not afraid of me," said Pet, who had now forgotten all
about that Maunder, and only longed to stay where he was, and set up a
delicious little series of glances. For the room, and the light, and the
tenor of the place, began more and more to suit such uses. And most and
best of all, his Insie was very thankful to him for his good behavior;
and he scarcely could believe that she wanted him to go. To go, however,
was his destiny; and when he had made a highly laudable and far-away
salute, it happened--in the shift of people, and of light, and clothing,
which goes on so much in the winter-time--that a little hand came into
his, and rose to his lips, with ground of action, not for assault and
battery, but simply for assumpsit.

CHAPTER XL

STORMY GAP

Snowy weather now set in, and people were content to stay at home. Among
the scaurs and fells and moors the most perturbed spirit was compelled
to rest, or try to do so, or