‘My nephew looks as though he was a-thinking more on t’ little profit he has made on his pins an’ bobs, than as if he was heeding how honest men were saved from being haled out to yon tender, an’ carried out o’ sight o’ wives and little ‘uns for iver.  Wives an’ little ‘uns may go t’ workhouse or clem for aught he cares.

Philip went very red, and then more sallow than usual.  He had not been thinking of Charley Kinraid, but of quite another thing, while Daniel had told his story; but this last speech of the old man’s brought up the remembrance that was always quick, do what he would to smother or strangle it.  He did not speak for a moment or two, then he said,—­

‘To-day has not been like Sabbath in Monkshaven.  T’ rioters, as folks call ’em, have been about all night.  They wanted to give battle to t’ men-o’-war’s men; and it were taken up by th’ better end, and they’ve sent to my Lord Malton for t’ militia; and they’re come into t’ town, and they’re hunting for a justice for t’ read th’ act; folk do say there’ll be niver a shop opened to-morrow.’

This was rather a more serious account of the progress of the affair than any one had calculated upon.  They looked grave upon it awhile, then Daniel took heart and said,—­

’A think we’d done a’most enough last neet; but men’s not to be stopped wi’ a straw when their blood is up; still it’s hard lines to call out t’ sojers, even if they be but militia.  So what we seven hatched in a dark entry has ta’en a lord to put a stop to ‘t!’ continued he, chuckling a little, but more faintly this time.

Philip went on, still graver than before, boldly continuing to say what he knew would be discordant to the family he loved so well.

‘I should ha’ telled yo’ all about it; I thought on it just as a bit o’ news; I’d niver thought on such a thing as uncle there having been in it, and I’m main sorry to hear on it, I am.’

‘Why?’ said Sylvia, breathlessly.

‘It’s niver a thing to be sorry on.  I’m proud and glad,’ said Bell.

‘Let-a-be, let-a-be,’ said Daniel, in much dudgeon.  ’A were a fool to tell him o’ such-like doings, they’re noane i’ his line; we’ll talk on yard measures now.

Philip took no notice of this poor attempt at sarcasm:  he seemed as if lost in thought, then he said,—­

‘I’m vexed to plague yo’, but I’d best say all I’ve got i’ my mind.  There was a vast o’ folk at our chapel speaking about it—­last night’s doings and this morning’s work—­and how them as set it afoot was assured o’ being clapt int’ prison and tried for it; and when I heered uncle say as he was one, it like ran through me; for they say as t’ justices will be all on t’ Government side, and mad for vengeance.’

For an instant there was dead silence.  The women looked at each other with blank eyes, as if they were as yet unable to take in the new idea that the conduct which had seemed to them a subject for such just pride could be regarded by any one as deserving of punishment or retribution.  Daniel spoke before they had recovered from their amazement.