The rugged broad-shouldered shepherd made his salutation duly to the
young lady, and uttered the information that there was a black cloud,
like snow, coming up over the fells to the south-west.

'But I must fare back to Greystone!' said the damsel. 'They will be
in a mighty coil what has become of me.'

'They would be in a worse coil if they found your bones under a snow
wreath.'

Hal went to the door and spied out, as if the tidings were rather
pleasant to him than otherwise. The goodwife shivered, and reached
out to close the shutter, and there being no glass to the windows,
all the light that came in was through the chinks.

'It would serve them right for not minding me better,' said the
maiden composedly. 'Nay, it is as merry here as at Greystone, with
Sister Margaret picking out one's broidery, and Father Cuthbert
making one pore over his crabbed parchments.'

'Oh, does this Father teach Latin?' exclaimed Hal with eager
interest.

'Of course he doth! The Mother at York promised I should learn
whatever became a damsel of high degree,' said the girl, drawing
herself up.

'I would he would teach me!' sighed the boy.

'Better break thy fast and mind thy sheep,' said the old woman, as if