'Maister Bob have put down one of the under sheets by mistake, and I
thought you might not like it, sir, as there's ladies present!'

'Faith, 'twas the first thing that came to hand,' said Robert. 'It
seemed a tablecloth to me.'

'Never mind--don't pull off the things now he's laid 'em down--let it
bide,' said the miller. 'But where's Widow Garland and Maidy Anne?'

'They were here but a minute ago,' said David. 'Depend upon it they have
slinked off 'cause they be shy.'

The miller at once went round to ask them to come back and sup with him;
and while he was gone David told Bob in confidence what an excellent
place he had for an old man.

'Yes, Cap'n Bob, as I suppose I must call ye; I've worked for yer father
these eight-and-thirty years, and we have always got on very well
together. Trusts me with all the keys, lends me his sleeve-waistcoat,
and leaves the house entirely to me. Widow Garland next door, too, is
just the same with me, and treats me as if I was her own child.'

'She must have married young to make you that, David.'

'Yes, yes--I'm years older than she. 'Tis only my common way of
speaking.'

Mrs. Garland would not come in to supper, and the meal proceeded without
her, Bob recommending to his father the dish he had cooked, in the manner
of a householder to a stranger just come. The miller was anxious to know
more about his son's plans for the future, but would not for the present
interrupt his eating, looking up from his own plate to appreciate Bob's
travelled way of putting English victuals out of sight, as he would have
looked at a mill on improved principles.

David had only just got the table clear, and set the plates in a row
under the bakehouse table for the cats to lick, when the door was hastily
opened, and Mrs. Garland came in, looking concerned.

'I have been waiting to hear the plates removed to tell you how
frightened we are at something we hear at the back-door. It seems like
robbers muttering; but when I look out there's nobody there!'

'This must be seen to,' said the miller, rising promptly. 'David, light
the middle-sized lantern. I'll go and search the garden.'

'And I'll go too,' said his son, taking up a cudgel. 'Lucky I've come
home just in time!'

They went out stealthily, followed by the widow and Anne, who had been
afraid to stay alone in the house under the circumstances. No sooner
were they beyond the door when, sure enough, there was the muttering
almos