Sylvia's Lovers - Page 66/290

Philip read in a high-pitched and unnatural tone of voice, which

deprived the words of their reality; for even familiar expressions

can become unfamiliar and convey no ideas, if the utterance is

forced or affected. Philip was somewhat of a pedant; yet there was a

simplicity in his pedantry not always to be met with in those who

are self-taught, and which might have interested any one who cared

to know with what labour and difficulty he had acquired the

knowledge which now he prized so highly; reading out Latin

quotations as easily as if they were English, and taking a pleasure

in rolling polysyllables, until all at once looking askance at

Sylvia, he saw that her head had fallen back, her pretty rosy lips

open, her eyes fast shut; in short, she was asleep.

'Ay,' said Farmer Robson, 'and t' reading has a'most sent me off.

Mother 'd look angry now if I was to tell yo' yo' had a right to a

kiss; but when I was a young man I'd ha' kissed a pretty girl as I

saw asleep, afore yo'd said Jack Robson.' Philip trembled at these words, and looked at his aunt. She gave him

no encouragement, standing up, and making as though she had never

heard her husband's speech, by extending her hand, and wishing him

'good-night.' At the noise of the chairs moving over the flag floor,

Sylvia started up, confused and annoyed at her father's laughter.

'Ay, lass; it's iver a good time t' fall asleep when a young fellow

is by. Here's Philip here as thou'rt bound t' give a pair o' gloves

to.' Sylvia went like fire; she turned to her mother to read her face.

'It's only father's joke, lass,' said she. 'Philip knows manners too

well.' 'He'd better,' said Sylvia, flaming round at him. 'If he'd a touched

me, I'd niver ha' spoken to him no more.' And she looked even as it

was as if she was far from forgiving him.

'Hoots, lass! wenches are brought up sa mim, now-a-days; i' my time

they'd ha' thought na' such great harm of a kiss.' 'Good-night, Philip,' said Bell Robson, thinking the conversation

unseemly.

'Good-night, aunt, good-night, Sylvie!' But Sylvia turned her back

on him, and he could hardly say 'good-night' to Daniel, who had

caused such an unpleasant end to an evening that had at one time

been going on so well.