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Updated: May 5, 2025
"I'll tell you later, in the kitchen," she promised, and went off to Tilda. The kitchen was of noble size far larger even than the refectory at Holy Innocents' Orphanage and worthy of the feast Mrs. Tossell had arrayed there to celebrate the sheep-bringing.
On the outside of the table ran an unbacked bench, and at top and bottom stood two ample elbowed chairs for the farmer and his wife; but Mrs. Tossell had surrendered hers to a black-coated man whom all addressed as "Minister," though in talk among themselves they spoke of him rather as The Rounder. Before the company sat he delivered a long grace with much unction.
Tossell busily laying supper; and close after supper came prayer, and bedtime on the stroke of nine. An hour later Tilda who slept, as a rule, like a top awoke from uneasy dreams with a start, and opened her eyes. A flood of moonlight poured in at the window, and there in the full ray of it stood Arthur Miles, fully dressed. The boy let drop the window-curtain, and came across to her bed.
Tossell answered it, bringing with her a tray of cold meats, apple tart, syllabubs, glasses, and a flagon of home-made cider. Yes, to be sure, they might have their horses saddled; but they might not go before observing Inistow's full ritual of hospitality. They ate, therefore, and talked little for a while: there would be time for talk on the long homeward ride.
The children, as they left the parlour, had been intercepted by Mrs. Tossell with the information that tea was ready for them in the kitchen. "Wot, another meal?" said Tilda. Twenty-four hours ago a world that actually provided too much to eat would have been inconceivable by her. But already the plenty of Inistow was passing from a marvel into a burden.
The reconciliation made them both very happy, and after dinner to which the whole family, the shepherd and half a dozen labourers assembled, so that Tilda marvelled how, even with a fireplace so ample, Mrs. Tossell managed to cook for them all Arthur Miles boldly approached Chrissy and got her to persuade her sweetheart, Festus, to lend him a hook.
But Tossell has promised to bring the children to Culvercoombe in the early afternoon, and this will give you an excuse to be present. Some questions may occur to you between this and then; and, anyway, I'd like to have you handy." No more was said. They parted, having come to a point where the rising moon showed their paths lying separate across the moor. Their lonely homes lay eight miles apart.
"The same to you, an' many of 'em!" They mounted the hill at a run, and when the horses dropped to a walk Farmer Tossell explained to Arthur Miles, who had been thrust forward into a seat or rather perch beside him, that this bringing home of the sheep from Holmness was a great annual event, and that he was lucky, in a way, to have dropped in for it.
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