"It's me brother that did." Bess said. "I barely believed him when he told me what happened. The moors can be a cruel place in winter, and these girls have been very lucky it wasn't snowin' and that the youngest un' managed to somehow find me brother's farm."

Tobias entered. "Bess... I'll be out in t' stable. Let me know if ye need owt." And he disappeared again. Anne stirred when the man accidentally closed the door too loudly. She opened her eyes and sat up quickly when she saw Elijah. She opened her mouth, closed it again, and looked at him miserably.
Bess got up. "I'll... give you some privacy," and she left for the kitchen.