It seemed as if all the interesting things were happening in one day.
To think of going over the moor in the daylight and when the sky was
blue! To think of going into the cottage which held twelve children!
Does she think Mrs. Medlock would let me go? she asked, quite
anxiously.
Aye, she thinks she would. She knows what a tidy woman mother is and
how clean she keeps the cottage.
If I went I should see your mother as well as Dickon, said Mary,
thinking it over and liking the idea very much. She doesn t seem to be
like the mothers in India.
Her work in the garden and the excitement of the afternoon ended by
making her feel quiet and thoughtful. Martha stayed with her until
tea-time, but they sat in comfortable quiet and talked very little. But
just before Martha went downstairs for the tea-tray, Mary asked a
question.
Martha, she said, has the scullery-maid had the toothache again
today?
Martha certainly started slightly.
What makes thee ask that? she said.
Because when I waited so long for you to come back I opened the door
and walked down the corridor to see if you were coming. And I heard
that far-off crying again, just as we heard it the other night. There
isn t a wind today, so you see it couldn t have been the wind.
Eh! said Martha restlessly. Tha mustn t go walkin about in
corridors an listenin . Mr. Craven would be that there angry there s
no knowin what he d do.
I wasn t listening, said Mary. I was just waiting for you and I
heard it. That s three times.
My word! There s Mrs. Medlock s bell, said Martha, and she almost ran
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