They never stop to think.' Sarratt looked at his sister-in-law with a covert amusement.

It was a left-handed remark.

But she went on--while Nelly finished the packing of the luncheon-basket--pouring out a flood of gossip about the Farrells's place near Cockermouth, their great relations, their wealth, their pictures, and their china, while Sarratt walked up and down, fidgeting with his mouth, and inwardly thanking his stars that his Nelly was not the least like her sister, that she was as refined and well-bred, as Bridget was beginning to seem to him vulgar and tiresome.
But he realised that there was a personality in the tall harsh woman; that she might be formidable; and once or twice he found himself watching the curious side-long action of her head and neck, and the play of her eyes and mouth, with a mingling of close attention and strong dislike.

He kept his own counsel however; and presently he heard Bridget, who had so far refused all their invitations to join their walks or excursions, rather eagerly accepting Nelly's invitation to go with them to Sir William's Loughrigg cottage.

She knew all about it apparently, and said it was 'a gem of a place!' Sir William kept an old butler and his wife there--pensioned off--who looked after him when he came.