CHAPTER XX. TO-MORROW.

dafterinformingthecarriersthatsheheldthemfarlessofmenthanthethreebruteswhirlingandworryinginthedustbeforethem,hadputherhandsroundthethickneckofthelargestofthecurs,andgivenherwholestrengthtotheessayofchokingitfromTartar'stornandbleedingeye,justaboveandbelowwhichorganthevengefulfangswereinserted.Fiveorsixmenwerepresentlyonthespottohelpher,butsheneverthankedoneofthem."Theymighthavecomebeforeiftheirwillhadbeengood,"shesaid.Shehadnotawordforanybodyduringtherestoftheday,butsatnearthehallfiretilleveningwatchingandtendingTartar,wholayallgory,stiff,andswelledonamatatherfeet.Sheweptfurtivelyoverhimsometimes,andmurmuredthesoftestwordsofpityandendearment,intoneswhosemusictheold,scarred,caninewarrioracknowledgedbylickingherhandorhersandalalternatelywithhisownredwounds.AstoJohn,hisladyturnedacoldshoulderonhimforaweekafterwards. Mrs.Gill,rememberingthislittleepisode,came"allofatremble,"asshesaidherself.Inafirm,briefvoiceMissKeeldarproceededtoputquestionsandgiveorders.ThatatsuchatimeFieldheadshouldhaveevincedtheinhospitalityofamiser'shovelstungherhaughtyspirittothequickandtherevoltofitspridewasseenintheheavingofherheart,stirredstormilyunderthelaceandsilkwhichveiledit. "Howlongisitsincethatmessagecamefromthemill?" "Notanhouryet,ma'am,"answeredthehousekeepersoothingly. "Notanhour!Youmightalmostaswellhavesaidnotaday.Theywillhaveappliedelsewherebythistime.SendamaninstantlydowntotellthemthateverythingthishousecontainsisatMr.Moore's,Mr.Helstone's,andthesoldiers'service.Dothatfirst." Whiletheorderwasbeingexecuted,Shirleymovedawayfromherfriends,andstoodatthehall-window,silent,unapproachable.WhenMrs.Gillcameback,sheturned.Thepurpleflushwhichpainfulexcitementkindlesonapalecheekglowedonhersthesparkwhichdispleasurelightsinadarkeyefiredherglance. "Letthecontentsofthelarderandthewine-cellarbebroughtup,putintothehay-carts,anddrivendowntotheHollow.Iftheredoesnothappentobemuchbreadormuchmeatinthehouse,gotothebutcherandbaker,anddesirethemtosendwhattheyhave.ButIwillseeformyself." Shemovedoff. "Allwillberightsoonshewillgetoveritinanhour,"whisperedCarolinetoMrs.Pryor."Goupstairs,dearmadam,"sheaddedaffectionately,"andtrytobeascalmandeasyasyoucan.Thetruthis,Shirleywillblameherselfmorethanyoubeforethedayisover." Bydintofafewmoregentleassurancesandpersuasions,MissHelstonecontrivedtosoothetheagitatedlady.Havingaccompaniedhertoherapartment,andpromisedtorejoinhertherewhenthingsweresettled,Carolinelefthertosee,asshesaid,"ifshecouldbeuseful."ShepresentlyfoundthatshecouldbeveryusefulfortheretinueofservantsatFieldheadwasbynomeansnumerous,andjustnowtheirmistressfoundplentyofoccupationforallthehandsathercommand,andforherownalso.Thedelicategood-natureanddexterousactivitywhichCarolinebroughttotheaidofthehousekeeperandmaids—allsomewhatscaredbytheirlady'sunwontedmood—didaworldofgoodatonceithelpedtheassistantsandappeasedthedirectress.AchanceglanceandsmilefromCarolinemovedShirleytoanansweringsmiledirectly.Theformerwascarryingaheavybasketupthecellarstairs. "Thisisashame!"criedShirley,runningtoher."Itwillstrainyourarm." Shetookitfromher,andherselfboreitoutintotheyard.Thecloudoftemperwasdispelledwhenshecamebacktheflashinhereyewasmeltedtheshadeonherforeheadvanished.Sheresumedherusualcheerfulandcordialmannertothoseabouther,temperingherrevivedspiritswithalittleofthesoftnessofshameatherpreviousunjustanger. Shewasstillsuperintendingtheladingofthecart,whenagentlemanenteredtheyardandapproachedherereshewasawareofhispresence. "IhopeIseeMissKeeldarwellthismorning?"hesaid,examiningwithrathersignificantscrutinyherstillflushedface. Shegavehimalook,andthenagainbenttoheremploymentwithoutreply.Apleasantenoughsmileplayedonherlips,butshehidit.Thegentlemanrepeatedhissalutation,stooping,thatitmightreachherearwithmorefacility. "Wellenough,ifshebegoodenough,"wastheanswer"andsoisMr.Mooretoo,Idaresay.Tospeaktruth,Iamnotanxiousabouthimsomeslightmischancewouldbeonlyhisjustdue.Hisconducthasbeen—wewillsaystrangejustnow,tillwehavetimetocharacterizeitbyamoreexactepithet.Meantime,mayIaskwhatbringshimhere?" "Mr.HelstoneandIhavejustreceivedyourmessagethateverythingatFieldheadwasatourservice.Wejudged,bytheunlimitedwordingofthegraciousintimation,thatyouwouldbegivingyourselftoomuchtrouble.Iperceiveourconjecturewascorrect.Wearenotaregiment,remember—onlyabouthalfadozensoldiersandasmanycivilians.Allowmetoretrenchsomethingfromthesetooabundantsupplies." MissKeeldarblushed,whileshelaughedatherownover-eagergenerosityandmostdisproportionatecalculations.Moorelaughedtoo,very