lips plagued the populace, and it was generally agreed that it would be 'a darned good thing when the wind changed'.
Unscathed by the hostile world about them, Leslie and Winnie continued to rejoice in each other's company. Bertie had dutifully spoken to his sister, saying that their mother was worried, and that he too hoped that she was not serious about Leslie. Winnie had answered briefly. They had known the Howards all their lives. She knew what she was doing. She also knew that her mother was worried, and they had spoken about it before Bertie was approached. Bertie, having fired his warning shot, retreated in some disarray before Winnie's level defence.
Sep had suddenly realized what was afoot and secretly approved of their union. What could be more fitting than a wedding between the two families? It would be a happy bond between Bender and himself. He recalled Bender's comforting words. Sep's heart warmed to the young people. His Leslie was a fine boy and it was time he settled down. Winnie would make a good wife. As far as Sep could see the outlook was rosy. He liked the idea of the young couple finding happiness together. He liked too the idea of becoming closer to Bender. He said as much to Edna, and was disconcerted by her reply.
'You don't think
he'll
like it, do you? Nor our Hilda! She's got her eye on the gentry for her Winnie! Nothing less than a belted earl for Hilda's daughter!'
'What's wrong with Leslie? Fine upstanding youngster with
a share in the businessâyou don't tell me that the Norths will disapprove?'
'That I do!' responded Edna flatly. 'Say what you like, Sep, the Norths have always looked down on us, and they won't let their Winnie marry Leslie without a fight.'
'You're fancying things!' muttered Sep, turning away. There was too much truth in Edna's sallies to please him, but he refused to be daunted.
'Let the young 'uns find their own way,' he pronounced at last, and hurried in to. the bakery before he heard any more unwelcome home truths.
There was plenty of work to distract Sep's attention from his son's affairs of the heart during the next few weeks, for Christmas was approaching, and there were scores of Christmas cakes to be made and iced.
Although Sep now employed several more workers, he still did as much himself in the bakery. The fragrance of the rich mixture, the mingled aroma of spices, candied fruits and brown sugar, cheered Sep afresh every year. It was his own personal offering to the spirit of Christmas, and he enjoyed the festive bustle in the warmly scented bakery. It was like a sheltered haven from the bleak winds in the market square beyond the doors.
The cold spell was lasting longer than expected, and the weather-wise old folk prophesied a white Christmas in Caxley. Sure enough, in the week before Christmas, a light fall whitened the ground and powdered the rosy-tiled roofs of the town, and the lowering grey skies told of more to follow.
On Sunday afternoon, Bender set off for Beech Green with two large saw blades for Jesse Miller.
'He won't get much done in the fields,' commented Bender wrapping the blades briskly in brown paper. 'The ground's like iron. He'll be glad to set the men to sawing firewood tomorrow, and I promised him these as soon as they came.'
'Give them all my love,' said Hilda. 'I won't come with you with the weather like this. And wrap up warmly, do, my dear. Put your muffler on, and your thick gloves.'
'Never fear,' answered Bender robustly. 'I've known the downs long enough to know how to dress for them. I'll be back before dark.'
The horse trotted briskly through the town. There were very few people about and Bender was glad to be on his own, in the clean fresh air. Now he could turn over his thoughts, undisturbed by family interruptions or customers' problems. He always felt at his best driving behind a good horse. He liked the rhythm of its flying feet, the gay rattle of the bowling wheels, and the clink and squeak of the
Unscathed by the hostile world about them, Leslie and Winnie continued to rejoice in each other's company. Bertie had dutifully spoken to his sister, saying that their mother was worried, and that he too hoped that she was not serious about Leslie. Winnie had answered briefly. They had known the Howards all their lives. She knew what she was doing. She also knew that her mother was worried, and they had spoken about it before Bertie was approached. Bertie, having fired his warning shot, retreated in some disarray before Winnie's level defence.
Sep had suddenly realized what was afoot and secretly approved of their union. What could be more fitting than a wedding between the two families? It would be a happy bond between Bender and himself. He recalled Bender's comforting words. Sep's heart warmed to the young people. His Leslie was a fine boy and it was time he settled down. Winnie would make a good wife. As far as Sep could see the outlook was rosy. He liked the idea of the young couple finding happiness together. He liked too the idea of becoming closer to Bender. He said as much to Edna, and was disconcerted by her reply.
'You don't think
he'll
like it, do you? Nor our Hilda! She's got her eye on the gentry for her Winnie! Nothing less than a belted earl for Hilda's daughter!'
'What's wrong with Leslie? Fine upstanding youngster with
a share in the businessâyou don't tell me that the Norths will disapprove?'
'That I do!' responded Edna flatly. 'Say what you like, Sep, the Norths have always looked down on us, and they won't let their Winnie marry Leslie without a fight.'
'You're fancying things!' muttered Sep, turning away. There was too much truth in Edna's sallies to please him, but he refused to be daunted.
'Let the young 'uns find their own way,' he pronounced at last, and hurried in to. the bakery before he heard any more unwelcome home truths.
There was plenty of work to distract Sep's attention from his son's affairs of the heart during the next few weeks, for Christmas was approaching, and there were scores of Christmas cakes to be made and iced.
Although Sep now employed several more workers, he still did as much himself in the bakery. The fragrance of the rich mixture, the mingled aroma of spices, candied fruits and brown sugar, cheered Sep afresh every year. It was his own personal offering to the spirit of Christmas, and he enjoyed the festive bustle in the warmly scented bakery. It was like a sheltered haven from the bleak winds in the market square beyond the doors.
The cold spell was lasting longer than expected, and the weather-wise old folk prophesied a white Christmas in Caxley. Sure enough, in the week before Christmas, a light fall whitened the ground and powdered the rosy-tiled roofs of the town, and the lowering grey skies told of more to follow.
On Sunday afternoon, Bender set off for Beech Green with two large saw blades for Jesse Miller.
'He won't get much done in the fields,' commented Bender wrapping the blades briskly in brown paper. 'The ground's like iron. He'll be glad to set the men to sawing firewood tomorrow, and I promised him these as soon as they came.'
'Give them all my love,' said Hilda. 'I won't come with you with the weather like this. And wrap up warmly, do, my dear. Put your muffler on, and your thick gloves.'
'Never fear,' answered Bender robustly. 'I've known the downs long enough to know how to dress for them. I'll be back before dark.'
The horse trotted briskly through the town. There were very few people about and Bender was glad to be on his own, in the clean fresh air. Now he could turn over his thoughts, undisturbed by family interruptions or customers' problems. He always felt at his best driving behind a good horse. He liked the rhythm of its flying feet, the gay rattle of the bowling wheels, and the clink and squeak of the
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