"Because if you should happen to fall in love wi' her and really want to marry her, which I don't suppose--and she was foolish enough to let you--which I'm pretty sure she wouldn't, being of a proud temper and mighty independent--'t would be a very bad thing for you and a terrible shock to that fine aunt and those rich uncles o' yours as you told me of--" "And why should it be?" "Because Anna ain't of your world and not being born wi' drawing-room manners she'd shock you twenty times a day, throw your fine aunt into a fit and give your uncles paralytic strokes--Anna's all right in her way but--" "She's a very beautiful girl!" said I hotly. "And good as she's beautiful!" "She is!" said the Tinker heartily. "Sweet an' good still, in spite of everything, an' I know--I've watched her grow up--" "And taken care of her," I added, "like the good friend you are." "I've done what I could, when I could, but she's mostly had to take care of herself and done it well, too--for she's as brave as--" "As Diana--as beautiful and as chaste!" said I. "Quite sure as you ain't fallen in love--or falling, friend Peregrine?" "Of course--quite." "To--be--sure!" murmured the Tinker drowsily. "But though your pockets be empty, you ain't in any violent hurry to get back to your luxoorious home, are ye?" "No!" said I. "By reason of Anna?" "By reason that, like her, I have learned to love the Silent Places." "Ah, yes, lad, I know--for I love 'em too. But you're young and in the Silent Places one may meet wi' demons an' devils." "Maybe!" I answered. "Or walk with God!" said the Tinker. CHAPTER XXIV HOW I MET ONE JESSAMY TODD, A SNATCHER OF SOULS Diogenes the sturdy pony trotted at such good pace that where the ways were rough the Tinker's light cart creaked and lurched until the tins wherewith it was festooned rattled and clinked and I, perched precariously on the tailboard, legs a-swing, was fain to hold on lest I be precipitated into the ditch, yet felt myself ridiculously happy notwithstanding. Thus we bumped and jingled through shady lanes and pleasant byways, I for one, seldom speaking, content to watch tree and hedge flit by and the ever-changing prospect beyond, though often turning to glimpse Diana's shapely back where she sat on the driving seat beside the Tinker; and at such times often it would happen she would glance round also, and thus our glances would meet and as we gazed, slowly but surely the colour would deepen in her cheek, her long lashes would flicker and droop, and she would turn away and I full of wonder and an infinite joy, marvelling that I could ever have thought such eyes hard, bold and unfeminine. Thus, albeit perched so precariously on the swaying tailboard I was none the less marvellously content. O Diogenes of the plodding hoofs! O creaking wheels, O tinkling pots and pans, had I but possessed the wisdom to understand your oft-repeated message, how much of doubt, of grief and pain I might have spared myself.