knew it would be late, perhaps later than on the preceding night,
before he returned--at any rate, past her usual bed-time; and on no
account would she stop up a minute beyond that hour in the kitchen,
whatever she might do in her bed-room. Here she sat and watched till
past midnight; and when she saw him coming up the brow with the
carts, she knew full well, even in that faint moonlight, that his
gait was the gait of a man in liquor. But though she was annoyed and
mortified to find in what way he had chosen to forget her, the fact
did not disgust or shock her as it would have done many a girl, even
at that day, who had not been brought up as Susan had, among a class
who considered it no crime, but rather a mark of spirit, in a man to
get drunk occasionally. Nevertheless, she chose to hold herself very
high all the next day when Michael was, perforce, obliged to give up
any attempt to do heavy work, and hung about the out-buildings and
farm in a very disconsolate and sickly state. Willie had far more
pity on him than Susan. Before evening, Willie and he were fast,
and, on his side, ostentatious friends. Willie rode the horses down
to water; Willie helped him to chop wood. Susan sat gloomily at her
work, hearing an indistinct but cheerful conversation going on in the
shippon, while the cows were being milked. She almost felt irritated
with her little brother, as if he were a traitor, and had gone over
to the enemy in the very battle that she was fighting in his cause.
She was alone with no one to speak to, while they prattled on
regardless if she were glad or sorry.

Soon Willie burst in. "Susan! Susan! come with me; I've something
so pretty to show you. Round the corner of the barn--run! run!" (He
was dragging her along, half reluctant, half desirous of some change
in that weary day. Round the corner of the barn; and caught hold of
by Michael, who stood there awaiting her.