Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 14, 2025
Adam had given his reply, and was determined to say nothing more. He was anxious, too, to get rid of his guest. Gaffin at length, finding that he could gain nothing by staying, rose to leave the cottage.
The miller and his guests were seated round the table, on which stood the remnants of their supper. Their conversation related chiefly to an adventure in which they had lately been engaged, while political subjects were also discussed. "Now, mates," said Gaffin, rising, "I have got business to attend to before I turn in, but I will leave you to put on your night-caps whenever you have a fancy."
This building had been in even a more dilapidated condition than the mill itself. The lower portion was used as a stable, where the miller kept his horse, the upper contained two rooms. Miles Gaffin had partially repaired the house, and had had the two rooms fitted up as sleeping apartments, that he might, as he said, put up any guest whom he could not accommodate in his own house.
"As to that, Mr Gaffin, God placed her under our charge, and we intend to do our duty by her," answered Adam, firmly. "Your duty would be to obtain for her every opportunity of retaining the position in which she was born," said Gaffin. "That's no common person's child." "Maybe she is not; but, as I said before, we will do our best. More than that we cannot do," answered Adam.
Adam kept his eyes on his guest while he was speaking, but the countenance of the latter maintained the same bold, defiant look which it generally wore. As Gaffin made the last remark, Jacob, with his little charge, entered the cottage. Maiden May, on seeing a stranger, kept tight hold of Jacob's hand, and drew away from the fireplace, where he was seated.
"What have you got to talk about, Mr Gaffin?" asked Adam, disdaining to give the welcome he could not heartily offer, and instead of sitting down, standing with his hands in his pockets opposite his guest, while the dame continued the work in which she had been engaged. "I hear you boarded a wreck the other morning and rescued a child from it," observed the visitor.
I have no further questions to ask, however, since you can give me no account of my old shipmate; I am sorry to hear of his death; good-day to you, sir," and Gaffin moved on, taking the direction of the mill. This last interview left a still more unfavourable impression on Headland's mind of Mr Miles Gaffin.
"I am a commander in his Majesty's service, and you must rest satisfied with that answer, sir," said Headland, not feeling disposed to be more communicative to his suspicious questioner. "Were you ever in the Indian seas in your younger days, sir? You will believe me that it is not idle curiosity that makes me put the question," said Gaffin, in the blandest tone he could assume.
"I remember you, though a good many years have passed since you were at Texford." "You have the advantage of me, knowing my name. Have you business with any one here?" "Yes; I wish to see Mr Groocock, the steward. I am the miller at Hurlston, and have to say a word or two about the rent of the mill," answered Gaffin.
Jacob did not stop to hear more, but, emptying his basket of shells, hurried home. What he had heard did not contribute to raise his spirits. He at once told his father of his meeting with Miles Gaffin. "If you care for me or for your own happiness, don't have anything to say to him," said Adam, earnestly. "He bears none of us any love, and depend on't he means mischief."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking