He rose six foot two in his stockings, was well made, and
upright. In grace and strength of frame the Yorkes and the Channings
stood A1 in Helstonleigh.
"Now, then! What are you two concocting? Is he coming over you again to
let him make more toffy, Judy, and burn out the bottom of another
saucepan?"
"Hamish, Judy says there's bad news come in by the London post. I am
afraid the Lord Chancellor has given judgment--given it against us."
The careless smile, the half-mocking, expression left the lips of
Hamish. He glanced from Judith to Charles, from Charles to Judith. "Is
it sure?" he breathed.
"It's sure that it's awful news of some sort," returned Judith; "and
the mistress said to me that all was over now. They be all in there,
but you two," pointing with her finger to the parlour on the left of
the hall; "and you had better go in to them. Master Hamish--"
"Well?" returned Hamish, in a tone of abstraction.
"You must every one of you just make the best of it, and comfort the
poor master. You are young and strong; while he--you know what _he_ is.
You, in special, Master Hamish, for you're the eldest born, and were
the first of 'em that I ever nursed upon my knee."
"Of course--of course," he hastily replied. "But, oh, Judith! you don't
know half the ill this must bring upon us! Come along, Charley; let us
hear the worst."
Laying his arm with an affectionate gesture round the boy's neck,
Hamish drew him towards the parlour.
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