Sylvia's Lovers

'And what dun yo' think a' t' folks is talkin' on i' Monkshaven?'

asked he, almost before he had taken off his coat, on the day when

he had heard of Philip's promotion in the world. 'Why, missus, thy

nephew, Philip Hepburn, has got his name up i' gold letters four

inch long o'er Fosters' door! Him and Coulson has set up shop

together, and Fosters is gone out!' 'That's t' secret of his journey t' Lunnon,' said Bell, more

gratified than she chose to show.

'Four inch long if they're theere at all! I heerd on it at t' Bay

Horse first; but I thought yo'd niver be satisfied 'bout I seed it

wi' my own eyes. They do say as Gregory Jones, t' plumber, got it

done i' York, for that nought else would satisfy old Jeremiah. It'll

be a matter o' some hundreds a year i' Philip's pocket.' 'There'll be Fosters i' th' background, as one may say, to take t'

biggest share on t' profits,' said Bell.

'Ay, ay, that's but as it should be, for I reckon they'll ha' to

find t' brass the first, my lass!' said he, turning to Sylvia. 'A'm

fain to tak' thee in to t' town next market-day, just for thee t'

see 't. A'll buy thee a bonny ribbon for thy hair out o' t' cousin's

own shop.' Some thought of another ribbon which had once tied up her hair, and

afterwards been cut in twain, must have crossed Sylvia's mind, for

she answered, as if she shrank from her father's words,-'I cannot go, I'm noane wantin' a ribbon; I'm much obliged, father,

a' t' same.' Her mother read her heart clearly, and suffered with her, but never

spoke a word of sympathy. But she went on rather more quickly than

she would otherwise have done to question her husband as to all he

knew about this great rise of Philip's. Once or twice Sylvia joined

in with languid curiosity; but presently she became tired and went

to bed. For a few moments after she left, her parents sate silent.

Then Daniel, in a tone as if he were justifying his daughter, and

comforting himself as well as his wife, observed that it was almost

on for nine; the evenings were light so long now. Bell said nothing

in reply, but gathered up her wool, and began to arrange the things

for night.

By-and-by Daniel broke the silence by saying,-'A thowt at one time as Philip had a fancy for our Sylvie.' For a minute or two Bell did not speak. Then, with deeper insight

into her daughter's heart than her husband, in spite of his greater

knowledge of the events that had happened to affect it, she said,-'If thou's thinking on a match between 'em, it 'll be a long time

afore th' poor sad wench is fit t' think on another man as

sweetheart.' 'A said nought about sweethearts,' replied he, as if his wife had

reproached him in some way. 'Woman's allays so full o' sweethearts

and matteremony. A only said as a'd thowt once as Philip had a fancy

for our lass, and a think so still; and he'll be worth his two

hunder a year afore long. But a niver said nought about

sweethearts.'