ed round, and peeped about and made
all sorts of remarks, wise and foolish. Eustace was somewhat perplexed
between the needful attentions to Mrs. Vernon and to Sir James, who,
being much more interested in the men than the manufacture, was
examining Mr. Yolland on their welfare, spirit, content, &c.; and
George Yolland might be trusted for making Mr. Harold Alison the
prominent figure in his replies, till at last he could say, "But here
is Mr. Harold Alison, Sir James. He can reply better than I." (Which
was not strictly true, for George Yolland had by far the readiest
tongue.) But he had managed to catch Harold in the great court, moving
back one of his biggest barrels of heavy ingredients, with face some
degrees redder and garments some degrees dustier than when I had seen
him ten minutes before. It really was not on purpose, or from any wish
to hide, but the place needed clearing, there was little time, and his
strength could not be spared.

I am sorry to say that a chattering young lady, who stood close to
Eustace, exclaimed, "Dear me, what a handsome young foreman!" making
Eustace blush to the eyes, and say, "It is my cousin--he is so very
eccentric--you'll excuse him."

Sir James, meantime, had heartily shaken the hand which, though
begrimed at the moment, Harold held out to him, and plunged into
inquiries at once, not letting him go again; for Harold, with the
intuition that nothing was idly asked, and that each observation told,
answered to the point as no man could do better, or in fewer words.
When the round was over, and Eustace was prepared with the carriage to
drive the grandees the mile up to Arghouse, Sir James returned his
thanks, but he was going to walk up with Mr. Harold Alison, who was
going to show him his workmen's reading-room, cottages, &c. Eustace
looked about for someone to whom to resign the reins, but in vain, and
we all had to set off, my housewifely mind regretting that time and
Eustace had combined to make the luncheon a hot instead of a cold one.

We found the Tracys when we arrived at home. Dermot was not equal to
standing about at the pottery, but Lady Diana had promised to come and
help me entertain the party, and very kindly she did so during the very
trying hungry hour to which we had to submit, inasmuch as, when Sir
James at last appeared, it turned out that he never ate luncheon, and
was in perfect ignorance that we were waiting for him.

He offered me his arm and we wen