Jason stood just behind, balancing himself first on one foot, and then
on the other, in his efforts to get a glimpse of Ida, and she stretched
out her arm over Jessee's shoulder and shook the honest hand which had
grown hard and horny in her service. Jessie almost carried her mistress
into the hall, where a huge fire was burning and threw a red and
cheerful glow over the fading gilding and grey-toned hangings.

"Oh, miss, how thin you be!" she said at last, as, with clasped hands,
she surveyed Ida from top to toe anxiously and greedily. "Wherever have
you been to look like that? But never mind, Miss Ida; you're back, and
that's everything! And we'll very soon get some flesh on your bones and
drive the sad look out of thee eyes." In moments of emotion and
excitement Jessie forgot the schooling Ida had given her, and lapsed
into semi-Westmoreland. "You've missed the moorland air, dearie, and
the cream and the milk--I've 'eard it's all chalk and water in
London--and I suppose there wasn't room to ride in them crowded
streets; and the food, too, I'm told it ain't fit for ordinary humans,
leave alone a dainty maid like my sweet mistress."

"Yes, you shall fatten me to your heart's desire, Jessie," said Ida. "I
suppose I don't look of much account; I've been ill. But I shall soon
get well. I felt, as we drove along the moor, with the wind blowing on
my cheek, as if I had not breathed since the hour I left. And now tell
me everything--all--at once! Rupert? There's no need to ask about the
dogs." Donald and Bess had not yet ceased to tear at her in frantic
efforts to express their delight. "Are you glad I've come back,
Donald?" she asked in a low voice as she knelt and put her arms round
his neck and nestled her face against his, and let him lick her with
his great, soft tongue. "Ah, if you are only half as glad as I am,
doggie, your heart must be half breaking with the joy of it. And if I'm
lean, you are disgracefully fat, Bess. Don't tell me you've missed me,
for I don't believe it."