The elder Baskerville clapped his hands. "One to you, Heathman!" he said. "Ned can't deny the truth of that." But Ned showed no concern. "I shall make up for lost time very easily when I do start," he said. "I've got ideas, I believe, and they go beyond ploughing. I'm like Cora here--all brains. You may laugh, Uncle Nat, but you're not the only Baskerville with a head on your shoulders. I'll astonish you yet." "You will--you will--the day you begin to work, Ned; and the sooner the better. I shall be very glad when it happens." The women laughed, and Cora much admired Ned's lofty attitude. She too had ambitions, and felt little sympathy with those who were content to labour on the soil. She strove often to fire her brother and enlarge his ambitions; but he had the farmer's instinct, enjoyed physical work, and laughed at her airs and graces. "Give me Rupert," said Heathman now. "He's like me--not much good at talking and ain't got no use for the girls, but a towser to work." "The man who ain't got no use for the girls is not a man," declared Ned very positively. "They're the salt of the earth--ban't they, Mrs. Lintern?" She smiled and looked at him curiously, then at his uncle; but she did not answer. "Anyway," continued Ned, "you're out when you say Rupert's like you; for hard worker that he is, he's found time for a bit of love-making." Cora and Phyllis manifested instant excitement and interest at this news. "Who is she? You must tell us," said the elder. "Why, I will; but say nought, for nothing be known about it outside the families, and Rupert haven't said a word himself to me. I reckon he don't guess that I know. But such things can't be hid from my eyes--too sharp for that, I believe. 'Tis Milly Luscombe, if you must know. A very nice little thing too in her way. Not my sort--a bit too independent. I like a girl to feel a man's the oak to her ivy, but----" Uproarious laughter from his uncle cut Ned short. "Mighty fine oak for a girl's ivy--you!" he said. "You wait," repeated the younger. "Anyway, Rupert be sweet on Milly, and father knows all about it, and won't hear of it. So there's thunder in the air for the moment." They discussed this interesting private news, but promised Ned not to retail it in any ear. Then he left them and, with Nathan, returned to the village. Ned, undeterred by Mr. Baskerville's raillery, began loudly to praise Cora as soon as they had passed beyond earshot of the farmhouse-door. "By Jove, she's a bowerly maiden and no mistake! Not her like this side of Plymouth, I do believe. Haven't seen her for a month of Sundays, and she's come on amazing." "She's a very handsome girl without a doubt," admitted Nathan. "And a very clever girl too; but a word in your ear, my young shaver: you mustn't look that way once and for all." "Why not, if I choose? I'm a free man."