“I don’t know how long I may want it,” observed Peace; “that all depends upon what orders I get, but it will certainly be for two or three weeks.” “If it’s two or three and twenty ’twill be all the better,” observed the carpenter, with a smile. This little matter being satisfactorily arranged, the landlord and his guest bent their steps in the direction of the hostelry. “Yer had a tidy old scrimmage with Master Giles t’other evening, hadn’t ’ee?” observed the farmer, as they took their way along. “Yes,” answered his companion. “Short and sweet, wa’nt it, like a donkey’s gallop?” “It was short, but there was not much sweetness about it.” “About the girl Nelly, eh?” “So he said. Is he a lover of hers?” “Lord love you, no! not a bit on it; but he’s spooney on her, so I’ve been told. But she won’t ha’ anything to say to ’un. Nell knows too much on him for that.” “He’s an impudent, ruffianly fellow.” “But ye tumbled him over like a sack of whate.” “I didn’t give him much time for reflection.” “So I heerd,” exclaimed the landlord, bursting out in a loud laugh. “It was as good as a play. The fellow aint liked by any o’ his mates; he’s a sulky, ill-tempered hound.” “Is Nelly in service?” The landlord shook his head. “In business?” “Partly so.” “Does she live near here?” “Yes; hard by.” “With her parents?” “Noa, she aint got none. She’s an orphan.” “Oh! An orphan?” “Yes.” “Does she live by herself, then?” “No; with an aunt. The old lady keeps a shop in the next village, and does a little in the market gardening line. She has a large strawberry ground, which is pretty well frequented during the season. Oh, she drives a tolerable trade, what wi’ one thing an’ another.” “And Nell?” “Well, yer see, she’s a clever lass, and makes herself generally useful; but she’s been a bit spoilt.” “In what way?” “Her aunt lets her do pretty much as she likes, but Nell’s a good sort and a general favourite, although she is sometimes a little uppish. Is there anything more ye want to know?” “No――oh, no,” said Peace, colouring slightly. The two walked on in silence for some minutes after this. “She was a great favourite with my missus,” observed Bricket――“she who is dead and gone now, an’ she wasn’t a woman to take a fancy to everybody. It was not many as pleased her.” “Ah! I don’t wonder at Nell being a favourite.” “Why?” “Because there’s something so genuine and ingenious about her manner, and she appears to me to be singularly straightforward for a woman.” “I’m glad you sed for a woman,” observed Brickett, coming to a sudden halt and looking hard at the speaker. “I be very glad you sed that.” It was now Peace’s turn to laugh. “You’re a bit of a philosopher,” he said.