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this country girl demanded from him such a pondering and weighing of
words. with a bland, slightly unreal smile he looked at her. "Can
you spare me a moment? », ill you sit down, please?"
She turned a chair slowly out from under the table and sat down
on the edge of it. The reassuring smile deepened a trifle on Mr.
Sorlsyson’s face. He nodded his head gently, hung his hat on his knee,
and placed the tips of his fingers together. ''I believe your mother
has left Rathard. Is that so?" and he nodded again, so winningly, as
if ail he sought was kindly confidence.
But all this, far from calming the girl, made her more hostile
and fearful. She nodded stiffly in reply, "She is," she said.
"Does she intend to stay away for long?" queried Mr Sorleyson
leaning forward, his fingers outstretched on the crown of his hat.
"She's gone for good. Did she send ye here?"
"No, no' said Mr Sorleyson hastily. "No: Mr Burke told me that
your mother had occupied his cottage again. I was surprised to hear
that she’d gone back alone," he added looking at Sarah closely.
"What’s surprising about that?" She demanded, "Isn’t it her own
home?"
"And yours?"
"And mine too, if ye want to know, Mr Sorleyson. But poor folk
have tae work - and the breaking up of poor folks’ homes is a small
matter." What’s a lie at this time and day, thought Sarah.
But it seemed to have convinced Mr Sorleyson. "Well, I see by
your remarks that you accept the responsibility of your mother. I’m
sure she’ll come to no want."
"Of course she’ll come to no want!” said the girl sharply.
