The old china in the rack had been her mother's; she had brought it and the black oak meal-chest to Mireside thirty years since.

The copper kettles and jelly-pan were wedding presents, and Tom, her son, who died in Australia, had sent the money to buy the sewing machine.

Now it looked as if her household treasures must be sold, and to leave Mireside would mean the tearing up of roots that had struck deep.

Besides, while she would suffer it would hurt her husband worse.

When Kit came in she gave him a keen glance.
"Weel, what had Miss Osborn to say ?" "She didn't say much; I think she means to talk to Osborn." Railton looked up gloomily.