That night he called at Green Hayes and it was Dinah who answered his knock. Jerry felt uncomfortable, but salved his conscience and invited her friendship. She, knowing very well why he was come, left him and returned to the kitchen. "Jerry wants to see you half a minute, Jane," she said. "He won't keep you, but he's got something to say as you must hear. It's a wonderful thing, he says, and will interest you a lot." Jane, however, showed no immediate inclination to respond. "Like his cheek," she said. "Didn't I tell the know-naught fool that when I wanted him I'd let him know?" "Well, he wants you. And he's bursting with news seemingly. He begged me very earnest to ask you to see him." "Perhaps his patience is out," said Mrs. Bamsey. "Perhaps he's come to give you up, Jane." "No," she said. "I ban't feared of that. I only want him to see sense over a little matter here and there. If we are to be married in the autumn, he's got to understand about a few things." Jane's secrets were secrets no longer. Her dream of a shop at Ashburton was now common knowledge. "Go to him then. You've kept it up long enough if you really want him," said her mother. "What should he have to tell me, except he's come round to my views?" asked Jane. "Perhaps he has," replied Dinah. Jane rose, dropped a story book and went out. There was a mumble of voices. Then Dinah and Faith heard her go down the garden path with Jerry. "Thank goodness that's over," said Dinah. "Now you'll have peace, Mrs. Bamsey." "I don't know," answered the elder. "They're not really well suited. Jane did ought to have taken a town man." "She'll break him in to bricks and mortar after a bit," prophesied Dinah. "They love each other properly enough." "If that was so, there'd be no talk of breaking in," said Jane's mother. Meantime Jerry had spoken. "It's very kind of you to see me," he said, "and you won't regret it. I've got a great piece of news for you, and it's a triumph for you, Jane, and if you agree to come round and make it up and be same as you was, I'll tell you." "What's the great news you'd be likely to hear?" "I didn't hear it: I found it out. And it'll be a lot more to you than me for that matter." They talked like children. "Very well then I'll hear it." "And be friends?" "I'll be friends, if it's such great news as you say." "No; that means you'll go back on it after. You must be friends. And we'll regard it still open about the shop. And you needn't fear my news ain't great. 'Tis a triumph for you, and everybody will say so." Jane's triumphs were few. She considered. She had not the faintest idea of the matter in his mind, yet was glad to be close to him again and hear his voice. "All right then," she said. "The shop can wait." "Will you come out for an hour? Then you shall see something, as well as hear tell about it." She turned, picked up the sun-bonnet that Dinah had donned in the morning, and followed him.