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Look, we can't leave him lying here. Run back and tell your mother and bring that piece of canvas that covers the straw. We'll have to have something to carry him in. And another thing' he stopped her as she was about to run from him' tell the women, the pit wives, to come; we won't be able to manage him on our own."

Nathaniel now knelt down by the man and loosened the cravat at his neck, and in doing so exposed a fine wool shirt which, like the riding jacket, was of the best quality. He was of the gentry, but from where?

He couldn't recall having seen the face before. He knew of the Wilsons by sight, from The Hall, but they were at least three miles away. And the Harrisons from Rowan House. And then there were the Brodricks. He had only once seen the old man, although the two sons, Raymond and Simon, he had passed a number of times. This man he was sure he hadn't seen before. He must have come quite some distance. But why, being subject to fits, did he take to riding out alone?

It was a full five minutes before Anna, Maria, and the two pit wives arrived, and he wanted to say to them, "Where have you been? You've taken so long," for he was feeling somewhat helpless and frustrated.

But what he actually said was, "Put a sheet on the ground, and we'll lift him on to it."

"Who is it?" Maria was asking the question; and when he answered her,

"I don't know," one of the pit women stepped forward and said, "I do.

But however has he got this far? He hardly goes out. Tis Mr.

Timothy, the mistress's brother. I used to work there years ago . at the Manor. He was all right once, but the fits started when he came back from foreign parts. After the mistress was hurt with the snow coming down on her. They thought she was dead. She might as well be,

'cos she's hardly moved since. But, 'twas from then they said he had his fits. "

All the time the woman was talking, they were lifting him on to the sheet, and now, as if the pit wives had done this before, each took up a corner of the canvas sheet near the man's head and, as if taking charge, the same woman nodded from Nathaniel to Maria, saying, "Yous take yon end." Then turning her attention to Anna, she said, "And you, miss, better get a hold of that horse, he's wanderin' again. Well...

one, two, three, and up! with him."

There was no way of getting their burden into the wood except to walk him along its edge until they came to the gate. In the meantime Anna had run towards the horse calling to him the while; and when he stopped and waited for her, she caught at the bridle, saying gently, "Come on with you. Come on."

After stabling the horse and calming him down, she hurried into the house. They had laid the man before the fire, and she asked, "Has he come round?"

"No sign of it yet," said Nathaniel, and looking at the two pit wives, he said, "Thank you for your help;' then spoke to Maria, saying, "

We've got to get word to the Manor because it looks as if he's going to be like this for some time. And anyway, they'll likely be worried and out looking for him by now. "

The two women were already making for the door, and the one who had done all the talking turned and said, "Well, we'll do anything for you, mister, because you've been kind to us. But that's one thing we couldn't trust ourselves to do, nor let our men do it, I mean, go up to the Manor, 'cos we wouldn't be able to keep our mouths shut; an' the men would likely use more than their tongues."

"That's all right. That's all right. We'll get word to them. Thanks again. Are you all right over there?"

"Oh, aye, sir, warm and comfortable, and that boiler next door is God's blessin'."

Maria waited till they had gone before exclaiming, "Well, we can't go, can we, so what's to be done?"

"The best thing, probably," said Nathaniel, 'is to get word to Miss Netherton. She will let Rob drive to the house and then they can take over. Would

you go there, dear, and ask her? " He had turned to Anna, and she, looking down on the man, said, " Yes, I'll go. " And then added, " I think he'd be more comfortable with a pillow under his head. "

"Well, leave that to me, will you?" And Maria pushed her aside.

"You get about your business and I'll see to mine."

Outside, Anna again picked up her skirts and ran; and ten minutes later, out of breath, she was knocking on Miss Netherton's front door.

And when Ethel Mead opened it she exclaimed, "Oh, you! What's up? And look at the sight of you." She pointed to Anna's old coat but Anna ignored her remark and said, "Is she back yet? I mean. Miss Netherton."

"No, but she should be any minute. It's near on dark now so she shouldn't be long; she hates being out in the dark. Sh!... Listen.

There they are now. " Anna ran across the gravel drive and as the trap came to a stop Miss Netherton, looking down on her, cried out, " What on earth! "

"I'll explain it later. Miss Netherton, but at the moment will you allow Rob to go to the Manor and tell them Mr.... Mr. Brodrick has been hurt and that we have him in the house."

"Mr. Brodrick?" Miss Netherton put out her hand to Rob and said,

"Hold on a minute, Rob, until I know what this is all about." Again she said, "Which one? Raymond or Simon?"

"Oh, not those. I understand ... I think it's ... well, the pit wives said it was Mr. Timothy."

"Good God! Tim. What was he doing near your place?"

"I think he was riding, but the horse went lame. I saw it running across the field, and ... and then he came in sight. He ... he' she looked from one to the other 'he had a sort of seizure."

"Oh, God above! He had one of his fits. Look, Rob, I know it's been a longish drive but get yourself over there and tell them what's happened. Was he hurt?" She was speaking to Anna.

"Not that I know of, but he seemed to want to sleep, just to sleep."

"Yes, he would. Well, go on, Rob; don't stand there. You'll hear all about it when you get back."

The old man said something that could have been in the nature of a grumble, but he turned the horse about; and Miss Netherton returned her attention to Anna, saying in much the same way as Ethel had done, "Why are you dressed like that?"

"Because I've been sawing wood."

"Sawing wood? What do you mean, sawing wood?"

"Just what I say, sawing wood. I came back this morning. I'm finished."

"Oh, dear! Oh, dear! Let me get in and sit down."

Inside the hall she said to Ethel, "Get me out of this gear, will you?

And I want a cup of strong tea. We'll have two cups of strong tea.

And bring the decanter in, the brandy; I've had the most trying day and I need sustenance. Now, young woman, come along and tell me the reason why you got the sack, or you left, whichever it is. "

As briefly as possible Anna described what had happened. When she had finished Miss Netherton gazed at her and said, "Well, you've done it this time. Of course it wasn't your fault, I know, but the Songs of Solomon! Let me tell you, and I could bet on it She leaned forward now and there was a grin on her face and a deep chuckle in her voice as she said, "I bet those songs are Miss Benfield's bedtime reading. But having said that, she's going to make hay out of this. And she was right, you know, there isn't much chance of my getting you set on, at least in Fellburn. Anyway, the weather's terrible and for the next few weeks you'll be saved from that journey.

And you may come and talk to me again. That'll make you mind your p's and q's and stop you corrupting young girls. " She laughed aloud now, and Anna with her.

When Ethel brought in the tea tray there was no decanter in evidence and Miss Netherton said, "You've taken your time over that. And where's the brandy?"

"I didn't bring it. Remember what you said: you told me not to bring it in before seven o'clock 'cos you just go to sleep after; you don't get any work done."

"Bring that brandy in, woman! and this minute, or you can pack your box tonight."

"I won't bother, I'll only have to unpack it in the morning."

When the door closed on the maid there was a look of glee on Miss Netherton's small face and she said, "It's so nice when your servants are obliging and courteous and, more than anything else, subservient."

Their laughter mingled again, but softly; then watching Anna pour out the tea, she said, "Take that coat off, you look dreadful."

"I can't take the coat off because I'm going immediately after I drink this cup of tea. I want to know what's happening to that man."

"Oh, he'll survive. But I wonder why on earth he got on a horse; he couldn't have been on one for years. He spends most of his time in his room or in the conservatory. He grows the most beautiful orchids, you know, and he writes. And he's a very nice fellow at heart, different from the rest. You know that Simon and Raymond's mother, she's the invalid, broke her back enjoying herself in Switzerland? Never liked her. Couldn't get to like her. But there you are, I'm such a hypocrite: I go there and I talk to her and at bottom I'm sorry for her; but more so for Simon, and being married to that upstart of a vixen who's no better than she should be. And I'm sorry for the boy, too, that's Simon's son, you know, he's only three, coming up four ...

What! You're going now? Oh, well, I suppose you must; but come over first thing in the morning and let me know what transpired. Better still, I'll go over there and find out all about it myself, because there'll likely be the devil to pay. Raymond's valet is supposed to see to Tim, too, because Raymond spends half his time in Newcastle or Scarborough or London. It's Simon who sees to that place, and that's ruined his career. Go on with you, then. Go on. You're dying to go.

But come over tomorrow afternoon and stay to dinner. Don't answer me back. Go on. "

Anna went out smiling, and as she tucked up her skirts and ran the whole length home again, she felt a sense of well-being and happiness.

Perhaps

it was because she was free and tomorrow she'd be able to enjoy the company and gossip of that little woman.

At the moment, however, there was that poor man with his fits. She wondered if he was awake yet.

The man was awake, but only just. Even so, Maria took Anna to one side before she whispered, "He seems to be a little' she tapped her head 'he asked where the angel was."

"The angel?"

"Yes, that's what he said: " Where's the angel? " What did Miss Netherton say?"

"She's sending word to the Manor. She seemed to know all about him and said he was a very nice man, but unfortunately had these fits."

"Is he touched? I mean ..."

"She didn't seem to think so. Anyway, there'll be somebody here soon from the Manor. Don't worry."

She went down the room to where her father was sitting in his chair by the side of the man, who certainly looked to be still asleep, arid she exchanged a glance with Nathaniel before kneeling down and gently putting her hand on the man's brow, but then quickly withdrew it as the eyelids lifted. The eyes were open wide now and staring at her; and the face went into a smile, the upper lip moved and revealed the gap in the teeth as he said, "The angel."

She turned her head quickly and looked from her father to her mother, and Maria nodded at her, as much to say. There, what did I tell you?

The man now sighed and said in quite an ordinary tone, but slowly, "I thought I had died at last. You are not an angel."

"No, sir." She laughed softly down on him.

"In no way am I an angel.

Anyway, I think they are all fair-haired. "

He continued to look at her; then he asked quietly, "Where am I?"

"You are in my home. This is my mother and my father." She pointed to the two figures now standing to the side of her.

He looked up at Nathaniel and Maria and after a moment he said, "I am sorry. I am sorry for troubling you. My illness is no respecter of time or ... or place."

He made an effort to sit up, and Nathaniel, bending quickly, put his arm around his shoulder.

"Are you fit enough to stand, sir?" he said.

"I... I will sit for a while longer if it will not... inconvenience you."

"Not at all. Not at all. You are welcome to stay as long as you like.

We have sent word to the Manor. "

The man had been looking at Nathaniel, but now he closed his eyes and his head dropped back as he said, "Oh, dear me."

"Would you like a cup of tea, sir?"

The head came forward, the eyes opened- and his gaze rested on Maria for some time before he said, "Tea? Oh, yes, yes; I would indeed be grateful for a cup of tea."

"We could make you more comfortable in this chair." Nathaniel pointed to the wooden armchair,

but the man said, "Would you mind if I sat here a little longer? I've well, it is a long long time since I sat on a rug before a fire.

It is very pleasant;

indeed, yes. "

"By all means, sir; but we'll make you more comfortable. Pull the settle nearer, Maria, and Anna, fetch another couple of pillows."

A few minutes later their guest was sitting propped up, supported by the weight of the settle, and with a cup of tea placed on a crack et to his side.

"Do you take sugar, sir?"

Looking at Anna, he said, "No, I don't, but thank you. Yet I have a sweet tooth, a very sweet tooth." Then he turned his head and stared at Maria, who was standing to the side of him and said, "And I love sweeties."

Maria paused as she thought: he said that just like a child, and yet he sounded sensible enough;

and in her kindly way she now answered him, "And so do I, sir, but I rarely get a chance to indulge myself, because my family are there before me whenever I make toffee."

He smiled.

"You make toffee?" he said.

"Yes, once a week; cinder and treacle."

"Cinder and treacle." What he would have said further was interrupted by a voice, crying, "Ma! Ma! It's me; I've got the push. He gave me the push, but the missis says I've got to turn up in the morning.

They're going at it. "

Cherry's voice trailed away as she entered the room from the kitchen and she stood openmouthed for a moment, looking at the man sitting on the mat.