The fact was that that accomplished skimmer and churner (now a resident in the house) had overheard the desultory observations between mother and daughter, and on opening the door to Mr.Darton thought the coincidence must have a grisly meaning in it.

Mrs.Hall welcomed the farmer with warm surprise, as did Sally, and for a moment they rather wanted words.
'Can you push up the chimney-crook for me, Mr Darton?
the notches hitch,' said the matron.

He did it, and the homely little act bridged over the awkward consciousness that he had been a stranger for four years.
Mrs.Hall soon saw what he had come for, and left the principals together while she went to prepare him a late tea, smiling at Sally's recent hasty assertions of indifference, when she saw how civil Sally was.

When tea was ready she joined them.

She fancied that Darton did not look so confident as when he had arrived; but Sally was quite light-hearted, and the meal passed pleasantly.
About seven he took his leave of them.