lad——forheshoutedtoyonboatmantobidhimtellmehewaswell。\'TellPeggyChristison，\'sayshe（mynameisMargaretChristison）——\'tellPeggyChristisonashersonHezekiahiscomebacksafeandsound。\'TheLord\'snamebepraised！An\'meawidowasneverthoughttoseemyladagain！\'Itseemedasifeverybodyreliedoneveryoneelse\'ssympathyinthathourofgreatjoy。\'Iaxpardon，butifyou\'dgiemejustabitofelbow—roomforaminutelike，I\'dholdmybabbyup，sothathemightseedaddy\'sship，andhappen，mymastermightseehim。He\'sfourmonthsoldlastTuesdayse\'nnight，andhisfeyther\'sneverclapteyneonhimyet，andhewi\'atooththrough，ananotherjustbreaking，blesshim！\'OneortwoofthebetterendoftheMonkshaveninhabitantsstoodalittlebeforeMollyandSylvia;andastheymovedincompliancewiththeyoungmother\'srequest，theyoverheardsomeoftheinformationtheseship—ownershadreceivedfromtheboatman。\'Haynessaysthey\'llsendthemanifestofthecargoashoreintwentyminutesassoonasFishburnhaslookedoverthecasks。Onlyeightwhales，accordingtowhathesays。\'\'Noonecantell，\'saidtheother，\'tillthemanifestcomestohand。\'\'I\'mafraidhe\'sright。ButhebringsagoodreportoftheGoodFortune。
She\'soffStAbb\'sHead，withsomethinglikefifteenwhalestohershare。\'\'Weshallseehowmuchistrue，whenshecomesin。\'\'That\'llbebytheafternoon—tideto—morrow。\'\'That\'smycousin\'sship，\'saidMollytoSylvia。\'He\'sspeck—sioneeronboardtheGoodFortune。\'Anoldmantouchedherasshespoke——\'Ihumblymakemymanners，missus，butI\'mstoneblind;mylad\'saboardyonvesseloutsidet\'bar;andmyoldwomanisbed—fast。Willshebelong，thinkye，inmakingt\'harbour？Because，ifsobeasshewere，I\'djustmakemywayback，andspeakawordortwotomymissus，who\'llbeboilingo\'erintosomemako\'mischiefnowsheknowshe\'ssonear。MayIbesoboldastoaxift\'CrookedNegroiscoveredyet？\'Mollystoodontip—toetotryandseetheblackstonethusnamed;butSylvia，stoopingandpeepingthroughtheglimpsesaffordedbetweenthearmsofthemovingpeople，sawitfirst，andtoldtheblindoldmanitwasstillabovewater。\'Awatchedpot，\'saidhe，\'ne\'erboils，Ireckon。It\'sta\'enavasto\'
wattert\'coverthatstoneto—day。Anyhow，I\'llhavetimetogohomeandratemymissusforworritin\'hersen，asI\'llbeboundshe\'sdone，forallasIbadehernot，buttokeepeasyandcontent。\'\'We\'dbetterbeofftoo，\'saidMolly，asanopeningwasmadethroughthepresstoletoutthegropingoldman。\'Eggsandbutterisyettosell，andtha\'cloaktobebought。\'\'Well，Isupposewehad！\'saidSylvia，ratherregretfully;for，thoughallthewayintoMonkshavenherheadhadbeenfullofthepurchaseofthiscloak，yetshewasofthatimpressiblenaturethattakesthetoneoffeelingfromthosesurrounding;andthoughsheknewnooneonboardtheResolution，shewasjustasanxiousforthemomenttoseehercomeintoharbourasanyoneinthecrowdwhohadadearrelationonboard。SosheturnedreluctantlytofollowthemoreprudentMollyalongthequaybacktotheButterCross。Itwasaprettyscene，thoughitwastoofamiliartotheeyesofallwhothensawitforthemtonoticeitsbeauty。Thesunwaslowenoughinthewesttoturnthemistthatfilledthedistantvalleyoftheriverintogoldenhaze。Above，oneitherbankoftheDee，therelaythemoorlandheightsswellingonebehindtheother;thenearer，russetbrownwiththetintsofthefadingbracken;themoredistant，grayanddimagainsttherichautumnalsky。Theredandflutedtilesofthegabledhousesroseincrowdedirregularityononesideoftheriver，whilethenewersuburbwasbuiltinmoreorderlyandlesspicturesquefashionontheoppositecliff。Theriveritselfwasswellingandchafingwiththeincomingtidetillitsvexedwatersrushedovertheveryfeetofthewatchingcrowdonthestaithes，asthegreatseawavesencroachedmoreandmoreeveryminute。Thequay—sidewasunsavourilyornamentedwithglitteringfish—scales，forthehaulsoffishwerecleansedintheopenair，andnosanitaryarrangementsexistedforsweepingawayanyoftherelicsofthisoperation。Thefreshsaltbreezewasbringingupthelashing，leapingtidefromtheblueseabeyondthebar。Behindthereturninggirlsthererockedthewhite—sailedship，asifshewereallalivewitheagernessforheranchorstobeheaved。Howimpatienthercrewofbeatingheartswereforthatmoment，howthoseonlandsickenedatthesuspense，maybeimagined，whenyourememberthatforsixlongsummermonthsthosesailorshadbeenasifdeadfromallnewsofthosetheyloved;shutupinterrible，drearyArcticseasfromthehungrysightofsweetheartsandfriends，wivesandmothers。Nooneknewwhatmighthavehappened。Thecrowdonshoregrewsilentandsolemnbeforethedreadofthepossiblenewsofdeaththatmighttollinupontheirheartswiththisuprushingtide。ThewhalerswentoutintotheGreenlandseasfullofstrong，hopefulmen;butthewhalersneverreturnedastheysailedforth。
Onlandtherearedeathsamongtwoorthreehundredmentobemournedoverineveryhalf—year\'sspaceoftime。Whoseboneshadbeenlefttoblackenonthegrayandterribleicebergs？Wholaystilluntiltheseashouldgiveupitsdead？whowerethosewhoshouldcomebacktoMonkshavennever，no，nevermore？Manyaheartswelledwithpassionate，unspokenfear，asthefirstwhalerlayoffthebaronherreturnvoyage。MollyandSylviahadleftthecrowdinthishushedsuspense。Butfiftyyardsalongthestaithetheypassedfiveorsixgirlswithflushedfacesandcarelessattire，whohadmountedapileoftimber，placedtheretoseasonforship—building，fromwhichasfromthestepsofaladderorstaircase，theycouldcommandtheharbour。Theywerewildandfreeintheirgestures，andheldeachotherbythehand，andswayedfromsidetoside，stampingtheirfeetintime，astheysang——Weelmaythekeelrow，thekeelrow，thekeelrow，Weelmaythekeelrowthatmyladdie\'sin！\'Whatforareyegoingoff，now？\'theycalledouttoourtwogirls。\'She\'llbeinintenminutes！\'andwithoutwaitingfortheanswerwhichnevercame，theyresumedtheirsong。Oldsailorsstoodaboutinlittlegroups，tooproudtoshowtheirinterestintheadventurestheycouldnolongershare，butquiteunabletokeepupanysemblanceoftalkonindifferentsubjects。ThetownseemedveryquietanddesertedasMollyandSylviaenteredthedark，irregularBridgeStreet，andthemarket—placewasasemptyofpeopleasbefore。Buttheskepsandbasketsandthree—leggedstoolswereallclearedaway。\'Market\'soverforto—day，\'saidMollyCorney，indisappointedsurprise。
\'Wemunmakethebeston\'t，andselltot\'huxters，andahardbargainthey\'llbefordriving。Idoubtmother\'llbevexed。\'SheandSylviawenttothecornershoptoreclaimtheirbaskets。Themanhadhisjokeatthemfortheirdelay。\'Ay，ay！lassesashassweetheartsa—cominghomedon\'tcaremuchwhatpricetheygetforbutterandeggs！Idaresay，now，there\'ssomeuninyonshipthat\'udgiveasmuchasashillingapoundforthisbutterifheonlyknowedwhochurnedit！\'ThiswastoSylvia，ashehandedherbackherproperty。Thefancy—freeSylviareddened，pouted，tossedbackherhead，andhardlydeignedafarewellwordofthanksorcivilitytothelameman;shewasatanagetobeaffrontedbyanyjokesonsuchasubject。Mollytookthejokewithoutdisclaimerandwithoutoffence。Sheratherlikedtheunfoundedideaofherhavingasweetheart，andwasrathersurprisedtothinkhowdevoidoffoundationthenotionwas。IfshecouldhaveanewcloakasSylviawasgoingtohave，then，indeed，theremightbeachance！Untilsomesuchgoodluck，itwasaswelltolaughandblushasifthesurmiseofherhavingaloverwasnotveryfarfromthetruth，andsosherepliedinsomethingofthesamestrainasthelamenet—makertohisjokeaboutthebutter。\'He\'llneeditall，andmoretoo，togreasehistongue，ifiverhereckonstowinmeforhiswife！\'Whentheywereoutoftheshop，Sylviasaid，inacoaxingtone，——\'Molly，whoisit？Whosetongue\'llneedgreasing？Justtellme，andI\'llnevertell！\'ShewassomuchinearnestthatMollywasperplexed。Shedidnotquitelikesayingthatshehadalludedtonooneinparticular，onlytoapossiblesweetheart，soshebegantothinkwhatyoungmanhadmadethemostcivilspeechestoherinherlife;thelistwasnotalongonetogoover，forherfatherwasnotsowelloffastomakehersoughtafterforhermoney，andherfacewasratherofthehomeliest。Butshesuddenlyrememberedhercousin，thespecksioneer，whohadgivenhertwolargeshells，andtakenakissfromherhalf—willinglipsbeforehewenttoseathelasttime。
Soshesmiledalittle，andthensaid，——\'Well！Idunno。It\'silltalkingo\'thesethingsaforeonehasmadeupone\'smind。AndperhapsifCharleyKinraidbehaveshissen，Imightbebroughttolisten。\'\'CharleyKinraid！who\'she？\'\'Yonspecksioneercousino\'mine，asIwastalkingon。\'\'Anddoyo\'thinkhecaresforyo\'？\'askedSylvia，inalow，tendertone，asiftouchingonagreatmystery。Mollyonlysaid，\'Bequietwi\'yo\'，\'andSylviacouldnotmakeoutwhethershecuttheconversationsoshortbecauseshewasoffended，orbecausetheyhadcometotheshopwheretheyhadtoselltheirbutterandeggs。\'Now，Sylvia，ifthou\'llleavemethybasket，I\'llmakeasgoodabargainasiverIcanon\'em;andthoucanbeofftochoosethisgrandnewcloakasistobe，aforeitgetsanydarker。Whereistagoingto？\'\'MothersaidI\'dbettergotoFoster\'s，\'answeredSylvia，withashadeofannoyanceinherface。\'Feythersaidjustanywhere。\'\'Foster\'sist\'bestplace;thoucansttryanywhereafterwards。I\'llbeatFoster\'sinfiveminutes，forIreckonwemunhastenabitnow。It\'llbenearfiveo\'clock。\'SylviahungherheadandlookedverydemureasshewalkedoffbyherselftoFoster\'sshopinthemarket—place。
chapter03CHAPTERIIIBUYINGANEWCLOAKFoster\'sshopwastheshopofMonkshaven。ItwaskeptbytwoQuakerbrothers，whowerenowoldmen;andtheirfatherhadkeptitbeforethem;probablyhisfatherbeforethat。Peopleremembereditasanold—fashioneddwelling—house，withasortofsupplementaryshopwithunglazedwindowsprojectingfromthelowerstory。Theseopeningshadlongbeenfilledwithpanesofglassthatatthepresentdaywouldbeaccountedverysmall，butwhichseventyyearsagoweremuchadmiredfortheirsize。Icanbestmakeyouunderstandtheappearanceoftheplacebybiddingyouthinkofthelongopeningsinabutcher\'sshop，andthentofillthemupinyourimaginationwithpanesabouteightinchesbysix，inaheavywoodenframe。Therewasoneofthesewindowsoneachsidethedoor—place，whichwaskeptpartiallyclosedthroughthedaybyalowgateaboutayardhigh。Halftheshopwasappropriatedtogrocery;theotherhalftodrapery，andalittlemercery。Thegoodoldbrothersgavealltheirknowncustomersakindlywelcome;shakinghandswithmanyofthem，andaskingallaftertheirfamiliesanddomesticcircumstancesbeforeproceedingtobusiness。TheywouldnotfortheworldhavehadanysignoffestivityatChristmas，andscrupulouslykepttheirshopopenatthatholyfestival，readythemselvestoservesoonerthantaxtheconsciencesofanyoftheirassistants，onlynobodyevercame。ButonNewYear\'sDaytheyhadagreatcake，andwine，readyintheparlourbehindtheshop，ofwhichallwhocameintobuyanythingwereaskedtopartake。Yet，thoughscrupulousinmostthings，itdidnotgoagainsttheconsciencesofthesegoodbrotherstopurchasesmuggledarticles。Therewasabackwayfromtheriverside，upacoveredentry，totheyard—dooroftheFosters，andapeculiarkindofknockatthisdooralwaysbroughtouteitherJohnorJeremiah，orifnotthem，theirshopman，PhilipHepburn;andthesamecakeandwinethattheexciseofficer\'swifemightjusthavebeentasting，wasbroughtoutinthebackparlourtotreatthesmuggler。Therewasalittlelockingofdoors，anddrawingofthegreensilkcurtainthatwassupposedtoshutouttheshop，butreallyallthiswasdoneverymuchforform\'ssake。EverybodyinMonkshavensmuggledwhocould，andeveryoneworesmuggledgoodswhocould，andgreatreliancewasplacedontheexciseofficer\'sneighbourlyfeelings。ThestorywentthatJohnandJeremiahFosterweresorichthattheycouldbuyupallthenewtownacrossthebridge。Theyhadcertainlybeguntohaveakindofprimitivebankinconnectionwiththeirshop，receivingandtakingcareofsuchmoneyaspeopledidnotwishtoretainintheirhousesforfearofburglars。Nooneaskedthemforinterestonthemoneythusdeposited，nordidtheygiveany;but，ontheotherhand，ifanyoftheircustomers，onwhosecharactertheycoulddepend，wantedalittleadvance，theFosters，afterdueinquiriesmade，andinsomecasesduesecuritygiven，werenotunwillingtolendamoderatesumwithoutchargingapennyfortheuseoftheirmoney。Allthearticlestheysoldwereasgoodastheyknewhowtochoose，andforthemtheyexpectedandobtainedreadymoney。Itwassaidthattheyonlykeptontheshopfortheiramusement。
Othersaverredthattherewassomeplanofamarriagerunninginthebrothers\'
heads——amarriagebetweenWilliamCoulson，MrJeremiah\'swife\'snephew（MrJeremiahwasawidower），andHesterRose，whosemotherwassomekindofdistantrelation，andwhoservedintheshopalongwithWilliamCoulsonandPhilipHepburn。Again，thiswasdeniedbythosewhoaverredthatCoulsonwasnobloodrelation，andthatiftheFostershadintendedtodoanythingconsiderableforHester，theywouldneverhaveallowedherandhermothertoliveinsuchasparingway，ekeingouttheirsmall\'incomebyhavingCoulsonandHepburnforlodgers。No;JohnandJeremiahwouldleavealltheirmoneytosomehospitalortosomecharitableinstitution。But，ofcourse，therewasareplytothis;whenaretherenotmanysidestoanargumentaboutapossibilityconcerningwhichnofactsareknown？Partofthereplyturnedonthistheoldgentlemenhad，probably，somedeepplanintheirheadsinpermittingtheircousintotakeCoulsonandHepburnaslodgers，theoneakindofnephew，theother，thoughsoyoung，theheadmanintheshop;ifeitherofthemtookafancytoHester，howagreeablymatterscouldbearranged！AllthistimeHesterispatientlywaitingtoserveSylvia，whoisstandingbeforeheralittleshy，alittleperplexedanddistracted，bythesightofsomanyprettythings。Hesterwasatallyoungwoman，sparelyyetlargelyformed，ofagraveaspect，whichmadeherlookolderthanshereallywas。Herthickbrownhairwassmoothlytakenoffherbroadforehead，andputinaveryorderlyfashion，underherlinencap;herfacewasalittlesquare，andhercomplexionsallow，thoughthetextureofherskinwasfine。Hergrayeyeswereverypleasant，becausetheylookedatyousohonestlyandkindly;hermouthwasslightlycompressed，asmosthaveitwhoareinthehabitofrestrainingtheirfeelings;
butwhenshespokeyoudidnotperceivethis，andherraresmileslowlybreakingforthshowedherwhiteeventeeth，andwhenaccompanied，asitgenerallywas，byasuddenupliftingofhersofteyes，itmadehercountenanceverywinning。Shewasdressedinstuffofsobercolours，bothinaccordancewithherowntaste，andinunaskedcompliancewiththereligiouscustomsoftheFosters;butHesterherselfwasnotaFriend。Sylvia，standingopposite，notlookingatHester，butgazingattheribbonsintheshopwindow，asifhardlyconsciousthatanyoneawaitedtheexpressionofherwishes，wasagreatcontrast;readytosmileortopout，ortoshowherfeelingsinanyway，withacharacterasundevelopedasachild\'s，affectionate，wilful，naughty，tiresome，charming，anything，infact，atpresentthatthechancesofanhourcalledout。Hesterthoughthercustomertheprettiestcreatureeverseen，inthemomentshehadforadmirationbeforeSylviaturnedroundand，recalledtoherself，began，——\'Oh，Ibegyourpardon，miss;Iwasthinkingwhatmaythepriceofyoncrimsonribbonbe？\'Hestersaidnothing，butwenttoexaminetheshop—mark。\'Oh！IdidnotmeanthatIwantedany，Ionlywantsomestuffforacloak。
Thankyou，miss，butIamverysorrysomeduffle，please。\'Hestersilentlyreplacedtheribbonandwentinsearchoftheduffle。WhileshewasgoneSylviawasaddressedbytheverypersonshemostwishedtoavoid，andwhoseabsenceshehadrejoicedoveronfirstenteringtheshop，hercousinPhilipHepburn。Hewasaserious—lookingyoungman，tall，butwithaslightstoopinhisshoulders，broughtonbyhisoccupation。Hehadthickhairstandingofffromhisforeheadinapeculiarbutnotunpleasingmanner;alongface，withaslightlyaquilinenose，darkeyes，andalongupperlip，whichgaveadisagreeableaspecttoafacethatmightotherwisehavebeengood—looking。\'Goodday，Sylvie，\'hesaid;\'whatareyouwanting？Howareallathome？
Letmehelpyou！\'Sylviapursedupherredlips，anddidnotlookathimasshereplied，\'I\'mverywell，andsoismother;feyther\'sgotatouchofrheumatiz，andthere\'sayoungwomangettingwhatIwant。\'Sheturnedalittleawayfromhimwhenshehadendedthissentenceasifithadcomprisedallshecouldpossiblyhavetosaytohim。Butheexclaimed，\'Youwon\'tknowhowtochoose，\'and，seatinghimselfonthecounter，heswunghimselfoverafterthefashionofshop—men。Sylviatooknonoticeofhim，butpretendedtobecountingoverhermoney。\'Whatdoyouwant，Sylvie？\'askedhe，atlastannoyedathersilence。\'Idon\'tliketobecalled\"Sylvie;\"mynameisSylvia;andI\'mwantingduffleforacloak，ifyoumustknow。\'Hesternowreturned，withashop—boyhelpinghertodragalongthegreatrollsofscarletandgraycloth。\'Notthat，\'saidPhilip，kickingthereddufflewithhisfoot，andspeakingtothelad。\'It\'sthegrayyouwant，isitnot，Sylvie？\'Heusedthenamehehadhadthecousin\'srighttocallherbysinceherchildhood，withoutrememberingherwordsonthesubjectnotfiveminutesbefore;butshedid，andwasvexed。\'Please，miss，itisthescarletduffleIwant;don\'tlethimtakeitaway。\'Hesterlookedupatboththeircountenances，alittlewonderingwhatwastheirpositionwithregardtoeachother;forthis，then，wasthebeautifullittlecousinaboutwhomPhiliphadtalkedtohermother，assadlyspoilt，andshamefullyignorant;alovelylittledunce，andsoforth。HesterhadpicturedSylviaRobson，somehow，asverydifferentfromwhatshewas:younger，morestupid，nothalfsobrightandcharming（for，thoughshewasnowbothpoutingandcross，itwasevidentthatthiswasnotheraccustomedmood）。
Sylviadevotedherattentiontotheredcloth，pushingasidethegray。PhilipHepburnwasvexedathisadvicebeingslighted;andyetheurgeditafresh。\'Thisisarespectable，quiet—lookingarticlethatwillgowellwithanycolour;youniverwillbesofoolishastotakewhatwillmarkwitheverydropofrain。\'\'I\'msorryyousellsuchgood—for—nothingthings，\'repliedSylvia，consciousofheradvantage，andrelaxingalittle（aslittleasshepossiblycould）
ofhergravity。Hestercameinnow。\'Hemeanstosaythatthisclothwillloseitsfirstbrightnessinwetordamp;butitwillalwaysbeagoodarticle，andthecolourwillstandadealofwear。MrFosterwouldnothavehaditinhisshopelse。\'Philipdidnotlikethatevenareasonablepeace—makinginterpretershouldcomebetweenhimandSylvia，soheheldhistongueinindignantsilence。Hesterwenton:\'Tobesure，thisgrayistheclosermake，andwouldwearthelongest。\'\'Idon\'tcare，\'saidSylvia，stillrejectingthedullgray。\'Ilikethisbest。Eightyards，ifyouplease，miss。\'\'Acloaktakesnineyards，atleast，\'saidPhilip，decisively。\'Mothertoldmeeight，\'saidSylvia，secretlyconsciousthathermotherwouldhavepreferredthemoresobercolour;andfeelingthatasshehadhadherownwayinthatrespect，shewasboundtokeeptothedirectionsshehadreceivedastothequantity。But，indeed，shewouldnothaveyieldedtoPhilipinanythingthatshecouldhelp。Therewasasoundofchildren\'sfeetrunningupthestreetfromtheriver—side，shoutingwithexcitement。Atthenoise，Sylviaforgothercloakandherlittlespiritofvexation，andrantothehalf—dooroftheshop。Philipfollowedbecauseshewent。Hesterlookedonwithpassive，kindlyinterest，assoonasshehadcompletedherdutyofmeasuring。OneofthosegirlswhomSylviahadseenassheandMollyleftthecrowdonthequay，camequicklyupthestreet。Herface，whichwashandsomeenoughastofeature，waswhitenedwithexcessofpassionateemotion，herdressuntidyandflying，hermovementsheavyandfree。Shebelongedtothelowestclassofseaportinhabitants。Asshecamenear，Sylviasawthatthetearswerestreamingdownhercheeks，quiteunconsciouslytoherself。SherecognizedSylvia\'sface，fullofinterestasitwas，andstoppedherclumsyruntospeaktothepretty，sympatheticcreature。\'She\'so\'ert\'bar！She\'so\'ert\'bar！I\'mboun\'totellmother！\'ShecaughtatSylvia\'shand，andshookit，andwentonbreathlessandgasping。\'Sylvia，howcameyoutoknowthatgirl？\'askedPhilip，sternly。\'She\'snotoneforyoutobeshakinghandswith。She\'sknownalldownt\'quay—sideas\"NewcastleBess。\"\'\'Ican\'thelpit，\'saidSylvia，halfinclinedtocryathismannerevenmorethanhiswords。\'WhenfolkaregladIcan\'thelpbeinggladtoo，andIjustputoutmyhand，andsheputouthers。Tothinko\'yonshipcomeinatlast！Andifyo\'dbeendownseeingallt\'folklookingandlookingtheireyesout，asiftheyfearedtheyshoulddieaforeshecameinandbroughthometheladstheyloved，yo\'dha\'shakenhandswi\'thatlasstoo，andnogreatharmdone。Ineverseteyneuponhertillhalfanhouragoonth\'staithes，andmaybeI\'llniverseeheragain。\'Hesterwasstillbehindthecounter，buthadmovedsoastobenearthewindow;sosheheardwhattheyweresaying，andnowputinherword:\'Shecan\'tbealtogetherbad，forshethoughto\'tellinghermotherfirstthing，accordingtowhatshesaid。\'SylviagaveHesteraquick，gratefullook。ButHesterhadresumedhergazeoutofthewindow，anddidnotseetheglance。AndnowMollyCorneyjoinedthem，hastilyburstingintotheshop。\'Hech！\'saidshe。\'Hearken！howthey\'recryingandshoutingdownont\'
quay。T\'gang\'samong\'emliket\'dayofjudgment。Hark！\'Noonespoke，noonebreathed，Ihadalmostsaidnoheartbeatforlistening。
Notlong;inaninstantthererosethesharpsimultaneouscryofmanypeopleinrageanddespair。Inarticulateatthatdistance，itwasyetanintelligiblecurse，andtheroll，andtheroar，andtheirregulartrampcamenearerandnearer。\'They\'retaking\'emtot\'Randyvowse，\'saidMolly。\'Eh！IwishI\'dKingGeorgeherejusttotellhimmymind。\'Thegirlclenchedherhands，andsetherteeth。\'It\'sterriblehard！\'saidHester;\'there\'smothers，andwives，lookingoutfor\'em，asiftheywerestarsdroptouto\'t\'lift。\'\'Butcanwedonothingfor\'em？\'criedSylvia。\'Letusgointot\'thickofitanddoabitofhelp;Ican\'tstandquietandsee\'t！\'Halfcrying，shepushedforwardstothedoor;butPhilipheldherback。\'Sylvie！youmustnot。Don\'tbesilly;it\'sthelaw，andnoonecandoaughtagainstit，leastofallwomenandlasses。BythistimethevanguardofthecrowdcamepressingupBridgeStreet，pastthewindowsofFoster\'sshop。Itconsistedofwild，half—amphibiousboys，slowlymovingbackwards，astheywerecompelledbythepressureofthecomingmultitudetogoon，andyetanxioustodefyandannoythegangbyinsults，andcurseshalfchokedwiththeirindignantpassion，doublingtheirfistsintheveryfacesofthegangwhocameonwithmeasuredmovement，armedtotheteeth，theirfacesshowingwhitewithrepressedanddeterminedenergyagainstthebronzedcountenancesofthehalf—dozensailors，whowerealltheyhadthoughtitwisetopickoutofthewhaler\'screw，thisbeingthefirsttimeanAdmiraltywarranthadbeenusedinMonkshavenformanyyears;notsincethecloseoftheAmericanwar，infact。Oneofthemenwasaddressingtohistownspeople，inahighpitchedvoice，anexhortationwhichfewcouldhear，for，pressingaroundthisnucleusofcruelwrong，werewomencryingaloud，throwinguptheirarmsinimprecation，showeringdownabuseasheartyandrapidasiftheyhadbeenaGreekchorus。Theirwild，famishedeyeswerestrainedonfacestheymightnotkiss，theircheekswereflushedtopurplewithangerorelselividwithimpotentcravingforrevenge。Someofthemlookedscarcehuman;andyetanhouragotheselips，nowtightlydrawnbacksoastoshowtheteethwiththeunconsciousactionofanenragedwildanimal，hadbeensoftandgraciouswiththesmileofhope;eyes，thatwerefieryandbloodshotnow，hadbeenlovingandbright;
heartsnevertorecoverfromthesenseofinjusticeandcruelty，hadbeentrustfulandgladonlyoneshorthourago。Therewerementhere，too，sullenandsilent，broodingonremedialrevenge;
butnotmany，thegreaterproportionofthisclassbeingawayintheabsentwhalers。Thestormymultitudeswelledintothemarket—placeandformedasolidcrowdthere，whilethepress—gangsteadilyforcedtheirwayonintoHighStreet，andontotherendezvous。Alow，deepgrowlwentupfromthedensemass，assomehadtowaitforspacetofollowtheothers——nowandthengoingup，asalion\'sgrowlgoesup，intoashriekofrage。Awomanforcedherwayupfromthebridge。Shelivedsomelittlewayinthecountry，andhadbeenlateinhearingofthereturnofthewhalerafterhersixmonths\'absence;andonrushingdowntothequay—side，shehadbeentoldbyascoreofbusy，sympathizingvoices，thatherhusbandwaskidnappedfortheserviceoftheGovernment。Shehadneedpauseinthemarket—place，theoutletofwhichwascrammedup。Thenshegavetongueforthefirsttimeinsuchafearfulshriek，youcouldhardlycatchthewordsshesaid。\'Jamie！Jamie！willtheynotletyoutome？\'ThosewerethelastwordsSylviaheardbeforeherownhystericalburstoftearscalledeveryone\'sattentiontoher。Shehadbeenverybusyabouthouseholdworkinthemorning，andmuchagitatedbyallshehadseenandheardsincecomingintoMonkshaven;andsoitendedinthis。MollyandHestertookherthroughtheshopintotheparlourbeyond——JohnFoster\'sparlour，forJeremiah，theelderbrother，livedinahouseofhisownontheothersideofthewater。Itwasalow，comfortableroom，withgreatbeamsrunningacrosstheceiling，andpaperedwiththesamepaperasthewalls——apieceofelegantluxurywhichtookMolly\'sfancymightily！Thisparlourlookedoutonthedarkcourtyardinwhichtheregrewtwoorthreepoplars，strainingupwardstothelight;andthroughanopendoorbetweenthebacksoftwohousescouldbeseenaglimpseofthedancing，heavingriver，withsuchshipsorfishingcoblesashappenedtobemooredinthewatersabovethebridge。TheyplacedSylviaonthebroad，old—fashionedsofa，andgaveherwatertodrink，andtriedtostillhersobbingandchoking。Theyloosedherhat，andcopiouslysplashedherfaceandclusteringchestnuthair，tillatlengthshecametoherself;restored，butdrippingwet。Shesateupandlookedatthem，smoothingbackhertangledcurlsoffherbrow，asiftoclearbothhereyesandherintellect。\'WhereamI？——oh，Iknow！Thankyou。Itwasverysilly，butsomehowitseemedsosad！\'Andhereshewasnearlygoingoffagain，butHestersaid——\'Ay，itweresad，mypoorlass——ifImaycallyouso，forIdon\'trightlyknowyourname——butit\'sbestnotthinkonit\'forwecandonomak\'o\'
good，andit\'llmebbesetyouoffagain。Yo\'rePhilipHepburn\'scousin，Ireckon，andyo\'bideatHaytersbankFarm？\'\'Yes;she\'sSylviaRobson，\'putinMolly，notseeingthatHester\'spurposewastomakeSylviaspeak，andsotodivertherattentionfromthesubjectwhichhadsetheroffintomeinformarket，\'continuedMolly，\'andfort\'buyt\'newcloakasherfeyther\'sgoingtogiveher;and，forsure，Ithoughtwewasi\'luck\'swaywhenwesawt\'firstwhaler，andniverdreamingast\'press—gang\'udbesomarred。\'She，too，begantocry，butherlittlewhimperwasstoppedbythesoundoftheopeningdoorbehindher。ItwasPhilip，askingHesterbyasilentgestureifhemightcomein。Sylviaturnedherfaceroundfromthelight，andshuthereyes。Hercousincamecloseuptoherontip—toe，andlookedanxiouslyatwhathecouldseeofheravertedface;thenhepassedhishandsoslightlyoverherhairthathecouldscarcelybesaidtotouchit，andmurmured——\'Poorlassie！it\'sapityshecameto—day，forit\'salongwalkinthisheat！\'ButSylviastartedtoherfeet，almostpushinghimalong。Herquickenedsensesheardanapproachingstepthroughthecourtyardbeforeanyoftheotherswereawareofthesound。Inaminuteafterwards，theglass—dooratonecorneroftheparlourwasopenedfromtheoutside，andMrJohnstoodlookinginwithsomesurpriseatthegroupcollectedinhisusuallyemptyparlour。\'It\'smycousin，\'saidPhilip，reddeningalittle;\'shecamewi\'herfriendintomarket，andtomakepurchases;andshe\'sgotaturnwi\'seeingthepress—ganggopastcarryingsomeofthecrewofthewhalertotheRandyvowse。\'Ay，ay，\'saidMrJohn，quicklypassingonintotheshopontip—toe，asifhewereafraidhewereintrudinginhisownpremises，andbeckoningPhiliptofollowhimthere。\'Outofstrifecomethstrife。IguessedsomethingofthesortwasupfromwhatIheardont\'bridgeasIcameacrossfra\'
brotherJeremiah\'s。\'Herehesoftlyshutthedoorbetweentheparlourandtheshop。\'Ibearethhardonth\'expectantwomenandchilder;norisittobewonderedatthatthey，beingunconverted，ragetogether（poorcreatures！）
liketheveryheathen。Philip，\'hesaid，comingnearertohis\'headyoungman，\'\'keepNicholasandHenryatworkintheware—roomupstairsuntilthisriotbeover，foritwouldgrievemeiftheyweremisledintoviolence。\'Philiphesitated。\'Speakout，man！Alwayseaseanuneasyheart，andneverletitgethidebound。\'\'Ihadthoughttoconvoymycousinandtheotheryoungwomanhome，forthetownisliketoberough，andit\'sgettingdark。\'\'Andthoushalt，mylad，\'saidthegoodoldman;\'andImyselfwilltryandrestrainthenaturalinclinationsofNicholasandHenry。\'Butwhenhewenttofindtheshop—boyswithagentlehomilyonhislips，thosetowhomitshouldhavebeenaddressedwereabsent。Inconsequenceoftheriotousstateofthings，alltheothershopsinthemarket—placehadputtheirshuttersup;andNicholasandHenry，intheabsenceoftheirsuperiors，hadfollowedtheexampleoftheirneighbours，and，asbusinesswasover，theyhadhardlywaitedtoputthegoodsaway，buthadhurriedofftohelptheirtownsmeninanystrugglethatmightensue。Therewasnoremedyforit，butMrJohnlookedratherdiscomfited。Thestateofthecounters，andofthedisarrangedgoods，wassuchalsoaswouldhaveirritatedanymanasorderlybutlesssweet—tempered。Allhesaidonthesubjectwas:\'TheoldAdam！theoldAdam！\'butheshookhisheadlongafterhehadfinishedspeaking。\'WhereisWilliamCoulson？\'henextasked。\'Oh！Iremember。HewasnottocomebackfromYorktillthenightclosedin。\'Philipandhismasterarrangedtheshopintheexactordertheoldmanloved。Thenherecollectedthewishofhissubordinate，andturnedroundandsaid——\'Nowgowiththycousinandherfriend。Hesterishere，andoldHannah。
ImyselfwilltakeHesterhome，ifneedbe。ButforthepresentIthinkshehadbesttarryhere，asitisn\'tmanystepstohermother\'shouse，andwemayneedherhelpifanyofthosepoorcreaturesfallintosufferingwi\'theirviolence。\'Withthis，MrJohnknockedatthedooroftheparlour，andwaitedforpermissiontoenter。Withold—fashionedcourtesyhetoldthetwostrangershowgladhewasthathisroomhadbeenofservicetothem;thathewouldneverhavemadesoboldastopassthroughit，ifhehadbeenawarehowitwasoccupied。
Andthengoingtoacornercupboard，highupinthewall，hepulledakeyoutofhispocketandunlockedhislittlestoreofwine，andcake，andspirits;andinsistedthattheyshouldeatanddrinkwhilewaitingforPhilip，whowastakingsomelastmeasuresforthesecurityoftheshopduringthenight。Sylviadeclinedeverything，withlesscourtesythansheoughttohaveshowntotheoffersofthehospitableoldman。Mollytookwineandcake，leavingagoodhalfofboth，accordingtothecodeofmannersinthatpartofthecountry;andalsobecauseSylviawascontinuallyurginghertomakehaste。
Forthelatterdislikedtheideaofhercousin\'sesteemingitnecessarytoaccompanythemhome，andwantedtoescapefromhimbysettingoffbeforehereturned。ButanysuchplanswerefrustratedbyPhilip\'scomingbackintotheparlour，fullofgravecontent，whichbrimmedoverfromhiseyes，withtheparcelofSylvia\'sobnoxiousredduffleunderhisarm;anticipatingsokeenlythepleasureawaitinghiminthewalk，thathewasalmostsurprisedbythegravityofhiscompanionsastheypreparedforit。SylviawasalittlepenitentforherrejectionofMrJohn\'shospitality，nowshefoundouthowunavailingforitspurposesuchrejectionhadbeen，andtriedtomakeupbyamodestsweetnessoffarewell，whichquitewonhisheart，andmadehimpraiseheruptoHesterinawaytowhichshe，observantofall，couldnotbringherselffullytorespond。Whatbusinesshadtheprettylittlecreaturetorejectkindly—meanthospitalityinthepettishwayshedid，thoughtHester。And，oh！whatbusinesshadshetobesoungratefulandtotryandthwartPhilipinhisthoughtfulwishofescortingthemthroughthestreetsoftherough，riotoustown？Whatdiditallmean？
chapter04CHAPTERIVPHILIPHEPBURNThecoastonthatpartoftheislandtowhichthisstoryrefersisborderedbyrocksandcliffs。Theinlandcountryimmediatelyadjacenttothecoastislevel，flat，andbleak;itisonlywherethelongstretchofdyke—enclosedfieldsterminatesabruptlyinasheerdescent，andthestrangerseestheoceancreepingupthesandsfarbelowhim，thatheisawareonhowgreatanelevationhehasbeen。Hereandthere，asIhavesaid，acleftinthelevelland（thusrunningoutintotheseainsteeppromontories）occurs——whattheywouldcalla\'chine\'intheIsleofWight;butinsteadofthesoftsouthwindstealingupthewoodyravine，asitdoesthere，theeasternbreezecomespipingshrillandclearalongthesenorthernchasms，keepingthetreesthatventuretogrowonthesidesdowntothemereheightofscrubbybrushwood。Thedescenttotheshorethroughthese\'bottoms\'isinmostcasesveryabrupt，toomuchsoforacartway，orevenabridle—path;
butpeoplecanpassupanddownwithoutdifficulty，bythehelpofafewrudestepshewnhereandthereoutoftherock。Sixtyorseventyyearsago（nottospeakofmuchlatertimes）thefarmerswhoownedorhiredthelandwhichlaydirectlyonthesummitofthesecliffsweresmugglerstotheextentoftheirpower，onlypartiallycheckedbythecoast—guarddistributed，atprettynearlyequalinterspacesofeightmiles，allalongthenorth—easternseaboard。Stillsea—wrackwasagoodmanure，andtherewasnolawagainstcarryingitupingreatosierbasketsforthepurposeoftillage，andmanyasecretthingwaslodgedinhiddencrevicesintherockstillthefarmersenttrustypeopledowntotheshoreforagoodsupplyofsandandseaweedforhisland。OneofthefarmsonthecliffhadlatelybeentakenbySylvia\'sfather。