Page:Between Two Loves.djvu/94

Rh can tell thee! It was a knife-and-fork tea; cold chicken and ham, fatty-cakes and cheese-cakes, lemon tartles and sponge-loaves, and spice-buns and other oddments; but Lotta put a sovereign in t' baby's hand, so mebbe it didn't cost them so varry much, after all."

"And Sarah wasn't invited! I'm fair capped! Is ta sure?"

"I'm sure enough; and that is what she's fretting about, for thou sees she's a fool over Steve, and pretty nigh as bad over Steve's child. Folks hev talked a deal likewise, and ever since christening Steve hes been off in t' woods. He's a born rover, you'd think he'd come out of a gypsy tent."

"He's a weak, silly, heartless lad, that's what he is. I wonder at Sarah turning a kind word or look his way."

"Ay, but as thou said thysen, Master Holden, women are a queer lot. Mebbe it's a good thing for men that they are so queer."

"Get out wi' thee; I mean, go beck to thy loom. A man wouldn't be so bad off with thee, happen."

Jane laughed, and tossed her pretty head, but Ben did not catch the kindly glance she gave