"I pride myself on 'em. A lot goes to a tea beside the good food, in my opinion. Some human pigs don't notice my touches and only want to stuff; but the bettermost have an eye for everything sweet and clean about 'em. Such nicer characters don't like poultry messing round and common things in sight while they eat and drink. I know what I feel myself about a clean cloth and a bunch of fine flowers on the table, and many people are quite as particular as me. I train the girls up to take a pride in such things, and now and again a visitor will thank me for it." "I could have brought a bunch of flowers from our little garden," said Sarah. "It would be coals to Newcastle, my dear. We make a feature of 'em. Job Legg understands the ways of 'em, and you see the result. You can pick all day from my herbaceous border and not miss what you take." "Nobody grows sweet peas like yours." "Job again. He's mastered the sweet pea in a manner given to few. He'll bring out four on a stalk, and think nothing of it." "Mister Best, our foreman, is wonderful in a garden, too," answered Sarah. "And a great fruit grower also." "That reminds me. I've got a fine dish of greengages for this party. In the season I fling in a bit of fruit sometimes. It always comes as a pleasant surprise to tea people that they ain't called to pay extra for fruit." She went her way and Sarah turned to a lesser entertainment under preparation in a shady corner of the garden. A girl of the house was already busy there, and the guests had arrived. They were hot and thirsty. Some sat on the grass and fanned themselves. A young man did juggling feats with the croquet balls for the amusement of two young women. Not until half-past six came any pause, but after that hour the tea drinkers thinned off; the big party had come and gone; the smaller groups were all attended to and tea was served in Mrs. Northover's private sitting-room behind the bar for herself, Sarah and the barmaid. Being refreshed and rested, Mrs. Northover turned to the affairs of her niece. At the same moment Mr. Legg came in. "Sit down and have some tea," said Mrs. Northover. "I've took a hasty cup," he answered, "but could very well do with another." "And how's Mister Roberts, Sarah?" asked her aunt. "Fine. He's playing in a cricket match to-day--Bridetown against Chilcombe. They've asked him to play for Bridport since Mister Raymond saw him bowl. He's very pleased about it." "Teetotal, isn't he?" asked Mr. Job. "Yes, Mister Legg. Nick have never once touched a drop in all his life and never means to." "A pity there ain't more of the same way of thinking," said Mrs. Northover. "And I say that, though a publican and the wife of a publican; and so do you, don't you, Job?"