they? Mr Crich up at Highclose is all for it. Ay, poor man, I’m afraid he’s not long for this world. He’s very poorly.’

‘Is he worse?’ asked Ursula.

‘Eh, yes — since they lost Miss Diana. He’s gone off to a shadow. Poor man, he’s had a world of trouble.’

‘Has he?’ asked Gudrun, faintly ironic.

‘He has, a world of trouble. And as nice and kind a gentleman as ever you could wish to meet. His children don’t take after him.’

‘I suppose they take after their mother?’ said Ursula.

‘In many ways.’ Mrs Krik lowered her voice a little. ‘She was a proud haughty lady when she came into these parts —