en."

"Ah, I know Thirsk--fine old church there, one of the finest in the
North Riding. You've never been there, Mrs. Rose?" He turned to include
Toni in the conversation, and found her wide-eyed and flushed with
excitement.

"Mr. Herrick, my people lived near Thirsk--in a farm at Feliskirk in the
hills. Oh, do you think she knew them?"

Mrs. Spencer, who had hitherto overlooked Toni, turned to her in
surprise.

"If you'll tell me the name, miss--ma'am. We knew most of t' people in
t' neighbourhood."

"Gibbs--their name was Gibbs." She spoke breathlessly. "The house was
called the Green Farm. Oh, do you know anything about them?"

"Gibbs? The Green Farm?" Mrs. Spencer stared incredulously. "Why, I knew
old Gregory Gibbs well--and a fine old fellow he was too. And Fred and
Roger--why, I knew 'em both. They used to come down into t' town on
market days with their dad, and a pair of jolly little lads they were
an' all--especially Roger."

"Roger was my father," said Toni quietly, and Mrs. Spencer uttered an
exclamation.

"You don't say! But Roger, he ran away--leastways e went off to furrin
parts and we 'eard as 'ow 'e'd married an Heyetalian young lady out
there. And you are really Roger Gibbs' bairn?"

"Yes; he married my mother--an Italian girl--in Naples. I was born
there. But they're both dead now," said Toni sadly.

"Oh, I'm sorry to 'ear that!" Mrs. Spencer spoke sincerely. "To think as
I should live to see young Roger's lass 'ere in my 'ouse! You don't
favour the Gibbs, miss, if I may say so."

"No, Mrs. Rose is more like her mother's people, I expect," said
Herrick, noticing as he spoke how pale Toni looked now that the flush of
excitement had died away. "But if she has never been to Yorkshire, at
least she can taste her native cakes, eh, Mrs. Spencer?"

Thus reminded of her duties Mrs. Spencer bustled away to find some
"preserve," which was only brought out for specially honoured guests;
and Toni took the seat Herrick placed for her at the table.

"You'll pour out for us? That's right. I'm afraid our good landlady will
want to stay and chatter! Do you mind?"

"Oh, no--do let her stay and talk about my people!" pleaded Toni, and
this Mrs. Spencer was very ready to do.

Standing by the table, resting her empty tray on her ample hip, she
poured forth a stream of disjointed memories to which Toni listened
eagerly. Mrs. Spencer, it seemed, had had an aunt living in the village
with the Gibbs; and a