"Half-past twelve," I answered, consulting my watch. "Yet surely it can't be so late?" "But it is--look at the sun! And don't you feel 't is dinner time? There's a little tavern down the lane yonder--let's go and eat." "Not unless I pay for it--" "With no money?" "Here is my watch!" "Don't be foolish!" she exclaimed, springing to her feet. "Get up and come along, do! No, stay where you are; things will taste sweeter out here--they always do. Only don't go trying to run off or any such foolishness--just stay where you are an' wait for me." "But--" "I won't be long--so promise!" "I promise!" Waiting for no more, she sped away all lithe and vigorous grace; when she was out of sight, I lay upon my back, staring up at the rustling canopy above, became lost in thought, wondering, among other things, if I could ever possibly attain unto that mysterious virtue she had called 'game-plucked' and just precisely what it might be. CHAPTER XIX HOW AND WHY I FOUGHT WITH ONE GABBING DICK, A PEDDLER "You won't be wantin' ever a broom, now?" Starting up in no little amazement, I beheld a man who bore a bundle of brooms upon his shoulder and a pack upon his back, while round his neck dangled ribbands and laces of many colours and varieties; a smallish, grizzled, plump man with an ill-natured face. "You won't be wantin' ever a broom?" he repeated. "No, thank you," I answered; "though indeed I should think it was sufficiently obvious." "Nor yet a mop?" "No!" "Why then, a belt? 'Ow about a fine, leather belt wi' a good steel buckle made in Brummagem?" "I couldn't buy anything of you if I wished," I explained, "because I have no money." "Eh--no money?" said the man, turning to spit into the road. "No money--eh? Then wot about 'er, the Eve as you was a kissy-cuddlin'--" "I was not!" "Oh!" he exclaimed, "then if not, why not? Yah, ye can't gammon me! She's a Eve, ain't she, an' all Eves loves a bit o' kissy-cuddly. An' she looks a nice warm armful, so why not try? Better soon nor late!" "What d' you mean?" I demanded, trembling with indignation. "I mean as she's a Eve, an' all Eves loves a bit o' kissy-cuddly an'--" "That will do!" cried I, clenching my fists. "I've told you I can purchase none of your wares, so pray have the goodness to cease your importunities and go." "Go?" said the Peddler. "An' why should I go? I ain't a-trespassin' on your private property, am I? No, because 'tis a public 'ighway. Very good! An' England's a free country, ain't it? It is! Very good again! I ain't a-goin' to go until I wants to go; you can't make me go nor nobody else. So 'ere I waits till your Eve comes back. An' why? 'Cause if you ain't got no money--she 'as, I'll lay, an' I've ribbands an' laces, rings an' garters as no Eve can say 'No' to. Besides, she looks a fine gal as Eves go, an' there's enough o' the old Adam inside o' me to--" "Are you going?" I demanded.