Chapter 6 - Page 2

intervening carrier, and stood at her
side.

'You've come all the way from the kiln, on purpose to meet me, and
you shouldn't have done it,' she reproachfully returned.

'We finished there at four, so it was no trouble; and if it had been-
-why, I should ha' come.'

A small sigh was the response.

'What, you are not even so glad to see me as you would be to see your
dog or cat?' he continued. 'Come, Mis'ess Margery, this is rather
hard. But, by George, how tired you dew look! Why, if you'd been up
all night your eyes couldn't be more like tea-saucers. You've walked
tew far, that's what it is. The weather is getting warm now, and the
air of these low-lying meads is not strengthening in summer. I wish
you lived up on higher ground with me, beside the kiln. You'd get as
strong as a hoss! Well, there; all that will come in time.'

Instead of saying yes, the fair maid repressed another sigh.

'What, won't it, then?' he said.

'I suppose so,' she answered. 'If it is to be, it is.'

'Well said--very well said, my dear.'

'And if it isn't to be it isn't.'

'What? Who's been putting that into your head? Your grumpy granny,
I suppose. However, how is she? Margery, I have been thinking to-
day--in fact, I was thinking it yesterday and all the week--that
really we might settle our little business this summer.'

'This summer?' she repeated, with some dismay. 'But the partnership?
Remember it was not to be till after that was completed.'

'There I have you!' said he, taking the liberty to pat her shoulder,
and the further liberty of advancing his hand behind it to the other.
'The partnership is settled. 'Tis "Vine and Hayward, lime-burners,"
now, and "Richard Vine" no longer. Yes, Cousin Richard has settled
it so, for a time at least, and 'tis to be painted on the carts this
week--blue letters--yaller ground. I'll boss one of 'em, and drive
en round to your door as soon as the paint is dry, to show 'ee how it
looks?'

'Oh, I am sure you needn't take that trouble, Jim; I can see it quite
well enough in my mind,' replied the young girl--not without a
flitting accent of superiority.

'Hullo,' said Jim, taking her by the shoulders, and looking at her
hard. 'What dew that bit of incivility mean? Now, Margery, let's
sit down here, and have this cleared.' He rapped with his stick upon
the rail of a little bridge they were crossing, and seated himself
firmly, leaving a place for her.

'But I want to get home-along,' dear Jim, she coaxed.

'Fidgets. Sit down, there's a dear. I want a straightforward
answer, if you please. In what month, and on what day of the month,
will you marry me?'

'O, Jim,' she said, sitting