cloth.

I had gone over all these things without noticing that my father was
awake, and that his sharp eye had observed them likewise.

"The lad works hard," said he, half to himself. "He has useful hands
and a clear head." I smiled, but took no notice whatever.

Evening began to close in--less peacefully than usual--over Norton
Bury; for, whenever I ventured to open the window, we heard unusual
and ominous sounds abroad in the town. I trembled inwardly. But
John was prudent, as well as brave: besides, "everybody knew him."
Surely he was safe.

Faithfully, at supper-time, Jem entered. But he could tell us no
news; he had kept watch all the time on the staircase by desire of
"Mr. Halifax"--so he informed me. My father asked no questions--not
even about his mill. From his look, sometimes, I fancied he yet
beheld in fancy these starving men fighting over the precious food,
destroyed so wilfully--nay, wickedly. Heaven forgive me, his son, if
I too harshly use the word; for I think, till the day of his death,
that cruel sight never wholly vanished from the eyes of my poor
father.

Jem seemed talkatively inclined. He observed that "master was
looking sprack agin; and warn't this a tidy room, like?"

I praised it; and supposed his mother was better off now?

"Ay, she be. Mr. Halifax pays her a good rent; and she sees 'un made