"
"It was the seed-bags, of course."
"They couldn't make a noise like human footsteps. However, it's no
business of mine, Mrs. Tadman, and I don't want to frighten you."
They went downstairs to the parlour, where the tea-tray and a pair of
candles were soon brought, and where Mrs. Tadman stirred the fire into a
blaze with an indifference to the consumption of fuel which made her
kinsman stare, even on that hospitable occasion. The blaze made the dark
wainscoted room cheerful of aspect, however, which the two candles could
not have done, as their light was almost absorbed by the gloomy
panelling.
After tea there was whist again, and a considerable consumption of
spirits-and-water on the part of the two gentlemen, in which Mrs. Tadman
joined modestly, with many protestations, and, with the air of taking
only an occasional spoonful, contrived to empty her tumbler, and allowed
herself to be persuaded to take another by the bailiff, whose joviality
on the occasion was inexhaustible.
The day's entertainment came to an end at last, to Ellen's inexpressible
relief; and her father drove her home in the yellow gig at rather an
alarming pace, and with some tendency towards heeling over into a ditch.
They got over the brief journey safely, however, and Mr. Carley was still
in high good humour.
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