Some disappointment was perceptible in his ingenuous countenance when he found that the interview which had been so mysteriously asked for was merely connected with cheese; but his father listened to Rosalie’s proposition with grave attention. ‘I don’t exactly see how the plan would work,’ he remarked, shaking his head. ‘We sell your Ha’skim cheeses very fairly well, Mrs. Fiander.’ Mr. Hardy was a discreet person, and was determined not to commit himself. ‘But as for the Blue Vinney, I’d be very glad to oblige you, but I’m really afraid—you see there’s scarcely any demand for Blue Vinney nowadays. A few of the old folks ask for it now and then, but we don’t get, not to say, a reg’lar custom for ’t, and it would n’t be worth our while to keep it.’ ‘I am considered a particularly good hand at making Blue Vinney,’ said Rosalie. ‘I used to be quite celebrated for it when I lived near Dorchester—in fact, I could easily sell my cheeses now at Dorchester, only I thought I would give you the first offer as you have dealt with me so long.’ Growing warm in her excitement, she threw back her veil: John Hardy, gazing at her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, thought Mrs. Fiander had never looked so handsome as in her widow’s weeds. ‘Dorchester!’ commented the senior. ‘That would be a long way for you to send, ma’am.’ ‘I am sure,’ put in the son quickly, ‘we’d be sorry to think as Mrs. Fiander should need to take her cheeses to Dorchester, father.’ The elder Mr. Hardy glanced from one to the other of the two young faces, and, as Rosalie bestowed a grateful smile upon his son, an idea seemed to strike him. ‘Well,’ he said good-naturedly, ‘you are trying an experiment, I understand, Mrs. Fiander. There’s always a certain amount o’ risk in an experiment; but still, “Nothing venture, nothing have,” they say. If you’re willing to venture I shall be glad to help you all I can. Send your cheeses to me, and I’ll do my best to sell ’em. I won’t promise to pay money down for ’em,’ he added, cautiously, ‘same as I do for the Ha’skims, but I’ll try an’ sell ’em for you, and we can settle about them after.’ ‘I am very much obliged,’ said Rosalie, a little blankly, however, for she had not been accustomed to do business in this manner. ‘We will use our utmost endeavours to push the goods—of that you may be sure,’ cried young John eagerly; and she smiled upon him again, so graciously that he somewhat lost his head, and made several incoherent statements as to the excellence of Blue Vinney cheese for which his worthy father subsequently brought him to book.