Cavalier Courtship

  'You have no need to fear. Has my father ever treated anyone unjustly?'

  Sarah shook her head reluctantly.

  'Well, then,' Lysbeth continued, 'he is not like to start now.'

  'But the sheep?' Sarah whispered.

  'What are a few sheep?' said Lysbeth somewhat impatiently. ' 'Twas not Eb's fault, and my father will know that. Now, Sarah, you must forget this, and look after Eb. He needs a hot drink, and should sit by the fire or go to bed. Come, let me see you looking after him, then I can leave him, and go and explain to my father.'

  Thus gently ordered about, Sarah started bustling round the fire, and Lysbeth persuaded Ebenzer to sit on a stool in front of it.

  'Now you must stay here today,' she said firmly. 'I will see my father, and either he will come to ask you about it, or I will come to fetch you. Till one of us comes, you ought not to go out. Do you promise?'

  'Yes, Missee Lysbeth,' Eb replied, and smiled tremulously at her.

  She patted him on the shoulder, and he covered her hand with his own for a moment.

  'Thank you, Missee. I am sorry to cause ye so much trouble.'

  Lysbeth grinned suddenly. 'That's nothing, Eb,' she reassured him. 'It's nothing to the trouble those soldiers will be in once my father gets after them.'

  *