It was time, he said; Dagworthy was not looking himself; at the mill they had been in mortal fear of one of his outbreaks.
'Did he speak harshly to you, father ?' Emily was driven to ask, with very slight emphasis on the 'you.' 'Fortunately,' was the reply, with the sad abortive laugh which was Mr.
Hood's nearest approach to mirth, 'fortunately he left me alone, and spoke neither well nor ill.

He didn't look angry, I thought, so much as put out about something.' Emily was relieved from one fear at least, and felt grateful to Dagworthy.

Moreover, by observation, she had concluded that Jessie could not possibly be aware of what had taken place in the garden.

And now Dagworthy was likely to be away for three weeks.

Her heart was lighter again..