And, concerning
Joe Noy--might it be within the bounds of possibility, within the power of
time to bring these two together again? The thought was good to Joan, and
wholly occupied her mind until the sight of Uncle Chirgwin with his sheep
brought her back to the present moment and her own affairs.
CHAPTER SEVEN
A PROBLEM
When Mr. Chirgwin caught sight of Joan his astonishment knew no bounds, and
his first thought was that something must certainly be amiss. He stood in
the roadway, a picture of surprise, and, for a moment, forgot both his
sheep and lambs.
"My stars, Joan! Be it you really? Whatever do 'e make at Drift, 'pon such
a day as this? No evil news, I hope?"
"Uncle," she answered, "go slow a bit an' listen to what I've got to say.
You be a kind, good sawl as judges nobody, ban't you? And you love me
'cause your sister was my mother?"
"Surely, surely, Joan; an' I love you for yourself tu--nobody better in
this world."
"You wouldn' go for to send me to hell-fire, would 'e?"
"God forbid, lass! Why, whatever be talkin' 'bout?"
"Uncle Thomas, faither's not my faither no more now. He've turned me out
his house an' denied me. I ban't no darter of his henceforrard; an' he'm no
faither o' mine. He don't mean never to look 'pon my faace agin, nor me
'pon his. The cottage edn' no home for me no more."
"Joan, gal alive! what talk be this?"
"'Tis gospel.
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