His look grew for a moment veiled and furtive.

'Oh, there's plenty to do,' he said, evasively.
They paused on the green ledges outside the cottage.
'What--portraits ?' He nodded uncertainly.
'You'll not grow fat on Great Langdale,' said Miss Anna, waving an ironical hand towards the green desolation of the valley.
He looked at her, walked up and down a moment, then said with an outburst, though in a low tone, and with a look over his shoulder at the open window of the cottage, 'Morrison's lent me a hundred pounds.
He advises me to go to London at once.' Miss Anna raised her eyebrows.

'Oh--oh!' she said--'_that's_ news! What do you mean by "at once" ?--September ?' 'Next week--I won't lose a day.' Miss Anna pondered.
'Well, I dare say Phoebe can hurry up.' 'Oh! I can't take Phoebe,' he said, in a hasty, rather injured voice.
'Not take Phoebe!' cried the other under her breath, seeming to hear around her the ghosts of words which had but just passed between her and Phoebe--'and what on earth are you going to do with her ?' He led her away towards the edge of the little garden--arguing, prophesying, laying down the law.
While he was thus engaged came Phoebe's silver voice from the parlour: 'Is that you, John?
Supper's ready.' He and Miss Anna turned.
'Hush, please!' said Fenwick to his companion, finger on lip; and they entered.
'You'll have got the money from Mr.Morrison, John ?' said Phoebe, presently, when they were settled to their meal.
'Aye,' said Fenwick, 'that's all right.

Phoebe, that's a real pretty dress of yours.' Soft colour rose in the wife's cheeks.
'I'm glad you like it,' said Phoebe, soberly.

Then looking up-- 'John--don't give Carrie that!--it'll make her sick.' For Fenwick was stealthily feeding the baby beside him with morsels from his own plate.