The church
bells were ringing, and she saw the farmer and his children going
towards the church, but not the mistress, and she might therefore
hope to find her at home and alone. As she approached, a great dog
began a formidable barking, and his voice brought out the good woman
in person. "Down, Bouncer! A won't hurt'ee, my lass. What d'ye
lack that you bain't at church?"
"May I speak to you, Mrs. Wheatfield?"
"My stars, if it bain't young Miss--Madam, I mean! Nothing ain't
wrong with the child?"
"O no, she is quite well, but--"
"What, ye be late for church? Come in and sit ye down a bit and sup
after your walk. We have been and killed Spotty's calf, though
'twas but a staggering Bob, but us couldn't spare the milk no longer.
So we've got the l'in on un for dinner, and you're kindly welcome if
you ain't too proud. Only I wish you had brought my little missie."
"O Mrs. Wheatfield! Shall I ever see the dear little girl again? Oh!
can you help me? Do you know where Lea Farm is? I'd pay anything for
a horse and man to take me there, where my sister is staying."
"Well, I don't know as my master would hire a horse out of a Sunday,
unless 'twere very particler--illness or suchlike. Lea Farm did you
say ma'am? Is it the Lea out by Windmill hill--Master Brown's; or
Lea Farm, down by the river--Tom Smith's?"
"No, this is Mr.
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