Sylvia's Lovers

'And whatten folk say of her, next thing?' 'Oh,' said Philip, struck by the difference of look and manner in

his aunt, and subdued by seeing how instantly she took alarm. 'It

were only my uncle;--he should na' take a girl like her to a public.

She were wi' him at t' "Admiral's Head" upo' All Souls' Day--that

were all. There were many a one there beside,--it were statute fair;

but such a one as our Sylvie ought not to be cheapened wi' t' rest.' 'And he took her there, did he?' said Bell, in severe meditation. 'I

had never no opinion o' th' wenches as 'll set theirselves to be

hired for servants i' th' fair; they're a bad lot, as cannot find

places for theirselves--'bout going and stannin' to be stared at by

folk, and grinnin' wi' th' plough-lads when no one's looking; it's a

bad look-out for t' missus as takes one o' these wenches for a

servant; and dost ta mean to say as my Sylvie went and demeaned

hersel' to dance and marlock wi' a' th' fair-folk at th' "Admiral's

Head?"' 'No, no, she did na' dance; she barely set foot i' th' room; but it

were her own pride as saved her; uncle would niver ha' kept her from

it, for he had fallen in wi' Hayley o' Seaburn and one or two

others, and they were having a glass i' t' bar, and Mrs. Lawson, t'

landlady, knew how there was them who would come and dance among

parish 'prentices if need were, just to get a word or a look wi'

Sylvie! So she tempts her in, saying that the room were all

smartened and fine wi' flags; and there was them in the room as told

me that they never were so startled as when they saw our Sylvie's

face peeping in among all t' flustered maids and men, rough and red

wi' weather and drink; and Jem Macbean, he said she were just like a

bit o' apple-blossom among peonies; and some man, he didn't know

who, went up and spoke to her; an' either at that, or at some o' t'

words she heard--for they'd got a good way on afore that time--she

went quite white and mad, as if fire were coming out of her eyes,

and then she turned red and left the room, for all t' landlady tried

to laugh it off and keep her in.' 'I'll be down to Monkshaven before I'm a day older, and tell

Margaret Lawson some on my mind as she'll not forget in a hurry.' Bell moved as though she would put on her cloak and hood there and

then.

'Nay, it's not in reason as a woman i' that line o' life shouldn't

try to make her house agreeable,' said Philip.