Sylvia found them for her, and then asked sadly-- 'What does ta want 'em for, mother ?' 'I'll go up t' brow and through t' field, and just have a look down t' lane.' 'I'll go wi' thee,' said Sylvia, feeling all the time the uselessness of any looking for intelligence from York so early in the day.

Very patiently did she wait by her mother's side during the long half-hour which Bell spent in gazing down the road for those who never came.
When they got home Sylvia put the potatoes on to boil; but when dinner was ready and the three were seated at the dresser, Bell pushed her plate away from her, saying it was so long after dinner time that she was past eating.

Kester would have said something about its being only half-past twelve, but Sylvia gave him a look beseeching silence, and he went on with his dinner without a word, only brushing away the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand from time to time.
'A'll noane go far fra' home t' rest o' t' day,' said he, in a whisper to Sylvia, as he went out.
'Will this day niver come to an end ?' cried Bell, plaintively.
'Oh, mother! it'll come to an end some time, never fear.

I've heerd say-- "Be the day weary or be the day long, At length it ringeth to even-song."' 'To even-song--to even-song,' repeated Bell.

'D'ye think now that even-song means death, Sylvie ?' 'I cannot tell--I cannot bear it.