But I'm no judge o' fashions and such like.' 'Thou'rt a judge o' comfort, and that's what I've been aiming at.

I were niver so comfortable in a' my life as when I were a lodger at thy house,' said he, with brotherly tenderness in his tone.

'If my mind had been at ease I could ha' said I niver were happier in all my days than under thy roof; and I know it were thy doing for the most part.

So come along, Hester, and tell me if there's aught more I can put in for Sylvie.' It might not have been a very appropriate text, but such as it was the words, 'From him that would ask of thee turn not thou away,' seemed the only source of strength that could have enabled her to go patiently through the next half-hour.

As it was, she unselfishly brought all her mind to bear upon the subject; admired this, thought and decided upon that, as one by one Philip showed her all his alterations and improvements.