s mending the broken meshes.
When Roland tapped she let them fall and stood upright. She knew him
at once. Her fine rosy face turned grey as ashes. She folded her arms
across her breast and stood looking at the intruder. For a moment they
remained thus--the gay, handsome, fashionably-dressed young man
smiling at the tall grave woman in her neat print gown and white linen
cap. Roland broke the silence.

"I am Roland Tresham," he said pleasantly.

"I do know you. What be you come for? Is Denas--where be my child? Oh,
man, why don't you say the words, whatever they be?"

"I am sorry if I frightened you. I thought you might like to know that
Denas was well and happy."

Then Joan went back to her nets and sat down without a word.

"I was in St. Penfer on business, and I thought you would like to
know--might like to know--you see, I was here on business--"

He was growing every moment more uncomfortable and embarrassed, for
Joan bent busily over her work and her back was to him.

"You see, I was here on business. I wanted to see my sister. I thought
you would like to know about Denas."

She turned suddenly on him and asked: "Where be my child?"

"I left Denas in London."

"You be a coward. You be a tenfold coward. Why didn' you bring your
wife home with you? Did Denas send me no letter--no word for
myself--for my heart only? Speak then; I want my letter."

"I left in a hurry. She had no time to write."

"Aw, then, why did you come here without a word of comfort? You be
cruel as well as cowardly. No word! No letter! No time! There then!
take yourself away from my door. 'Twas a wisht cruel thought brought
you here. Aw, then, a thought out of your own heart. You be a bad man!
dreadful! dreadful!"

"Come, my good woman, I wish to be kind."

"Good woman! Sure enough! but I have my husband's name, thank God, and
there then! when you speak to me I be called by it--Joan Penelles. And
Joan Penelles do wish you would turn your back on this house; she do
that, for you do have a sight of ghastly mean old ways--more than
either big or little devil means a young man to have. There then! Go
afore John Penelles do find you here. For 'twill be a bad hour for you
if he do--and so it will!"

"I did not expect such a reception, Mrs. Penelles. I have dealt
honourably with your daughter."

"You have made my daughter to sin. Aw, then, I will not talk about my
daughter with you. No indeed!"

"Have you no message to send to Dena