They fell into their former habits, and
the talk of crops, of markets, of the weather, and of their
neighbours was sweet. Mrs. Mudge and Miss Everard came now and then
to see them in summer time, and when Mr. Toller slept with his
fathers, his daughter and Helen remained at the farm and managed it
between them.
ESTHER
BLACKDEEP FEN, 24th November 1838.
My Dear Esther,--This is your birthday and your wedding-day, and I
have sent you a cake and a knitted cross-over, both of which I have
made myself. I can still knit, although my eyes fail a bit. I hope
the cross-over will be useful during the winter. Tell me, my dear,
how you are. Twenty-eight years ago it is since you came into the
world. It was a dark day with a cold drizzling rain, but at eleven
o'clock at night you were born, and the next morning was bright with
beautiful sunshine. Some people think that Blackdeep must always be
dreary at this time of year, but they are wrong. I love the Fen
country. It is my own country. This house, as you know, has
belonged to your father's forefathers for two hundred years or more,
and my father's old house has been in our family nearly as long.
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