She was conscious that the watching which Molly had threatened her with began directly; for Molly went up to her husband, and whispered something to him which set him off in a chuckling laugh, and Sylvia was aware that his eyes followed her about with knowing looks all the evening.

She would hardly speak to Philip, and pretended not to see his outstretched hand, but passed on to the chimney-corner, and tried to shelter herself behind the broad back of farmer Corney, who had no notion of relinquishing his customary place for all the young people who ever came to the house,--or for any old people either, for that matter.

It was his household throne, and there he sat with no more idea of abdicating in favour of any comer than King George at St James's.

But he was glad to see his friends; and had paid them the unwonted compliment of shaving on a week-day, and putting on his Sunday coat.

The united efforts of wife and children had failed to persuade him to make any farther change in his attire; to all their arguments on this head he had replied,-- 'Them as doesn't like t' see me i' my work-a-day wescut and breeches may bide away.' It was the longest sentence he said that day, but he repeated it several times over.