Chapter 2 - Page 2

apart where the winds rattled the boughs of the surrounding pines or
elms and the murmur of a river could be heard from below. The hill and
the trees, the wind and the river, were their usual background, with the
garden and park and the great plantations of trees belting the estate
around; the house itself standing on the highest land within the circle.

Such was the location and adjuncts of the ancient home of the Hattons,
and John Hatton looked up at the old face of it with a conscious love
and pride. The house was built of dark millstone grit in large blocks,
many of them now green and mossy. The roof was of sandstone in thin
slabs, and in its angles grass had taken root. In front there was a
tower and tall gables, with balls and pinnacles. The principal entrance
was a doorway with a Tudor arch, and a large porch resting on stone
pillars. Within this porch there were seats and a table, pots of
flowers, and a silver Jacobean bell. And all round the house were gables
and doorways and windows, showing carvings and inscriptions wherever the
ivy had not hid them.

The door stood wide open and in the porch his mother was sitting. She
had a piece of old English lace in her hand, which she was carefully
darning. Suddenly she heard John's footsteps and she lifted her head and
listened intently. Then with a radiant face she stood upright just as
John came from behind the laurel hedge into the golden rays of the
setting sun, and her face was transfigured as she called in a strong,
joyful voice,

"O John! John! I've been longing for you days and days. Come inside, my
dear lad. Come in! I'll be bound you are hungry. What will you take?
Have a cup of tea, now, John; it will be four hours before suppertime,
you know."

"Very well, mother. I haven't had my tea today, and I am a bit hungry."

"Poor lad! You shall have your tea and a mouthful in a few minutes."

"I'll go to my room, mother, and wash my face and hands. I am not fit
company for a dame so sweet as you are," and he lifted his right hand
courteously as he passed her.

In less than half an hour there was tea and milk, cold meat and fruit
before John, and his mother watched him eating with a beaming
satisfaction. And when John looked into her happy face he wondered at
his dream in Edinburgh, and said gratefully to himself,

"All is right with mother. Thank God for that!"

She did not talk while John was eating, but as he sat smoking in the
porch afterwards, she said,

"I want to ask you where you have been all these weeks, John, but Harry
isn't here, and you won't want to tell your story twice over, will you,
now?"

"I would rather not,