Alfred beamed. Fancy, he perceived, had "made a hit." It might be prudent to take her away, and run no risks. If he and she resumed their walk, the elder women would discuss her handsomely. A favourable first impression might become indelible. He got up: "If you feel good and ready, Miss Broomfield, we might take the road again." "She be tired out," declared Mrs. Yellam. "Anybody but a man'd see that. You let Miss Broomfield bide along wi' us, Alferd; she can bide so long as she's a mind to." This was disconcerting both for Alfred and Fancy. Happily for them, Mrs. Mucklow espied an opening for contradiction. She exclaimed derisively: "What a notion, askin' a young maid to bide along wi' two old women, when every bird i' the trees is a-singing to his mate. But 'tis true, Miss Broomfield be leg-weary, after climbing our hills. Take her down river, Alferd. Do 'ee borrow the miller's boat." "That I will," said Alfred. "And glad he'll be to oblige me, too. Come on, miss. 'Tis only a step to the mill." The pair vanished. The elder women looked at each other. Mrs. Mucklow said slowly: "I be flambergasted, Susan." "So be I." "A very pretty, modest maid." "Alferd might do worse; I allows that." "So do I, Susan." Mrs. Yellam hesitated, and then said slowly: "Alferd be fair daffy about her, that's a fact. Miffed as I may well be at his choosin' a sweetheart who looks, seemin'ly, as if a puff o' wind'd blow her bang out o' parish, I sticks to what I says, the boy might ha' done worse." "Boy, indeed! He be a man." "'Tis true. And the multiplication-table, one might say, be made for him rather than her. Alfred did tell me las' night that an auntie, on her mother's side, bore twins twice. But as to that, we women be all in God A'mighty's hands." "Then Alferd have told 'ee as he wants her?" "Don't 'ee repeat it. He have." "Then he'll get her. A big strong feller like that feels wonnerful cuddlesome when he comes acrost they delicate, abstemious females. 'Tis as sartain as we be sitting here that he'll put the question in his own good time." Mrs. Yellam sighed. "We be on the skirts o' great happenings. If 'tis the Lard's Will, I have nothing to say." CHAPTER IV LE PAYS DU TENDRE