As she gained the high-road again, she met Sir Henry Talbot, whom Bumps still called the "keeper."
He was very good to the children, and stopped directly he saw her.
"Hulloo!" he said. "Are you having another truant day? Are you all alone?"
"I'm not truanting," said Jill. "I've been looking for widows. Do you know any, Sir Henry?"
He laughed.
"I do. Now, what the dickens do you want widows for? Tell me, and I'll help you."
Jill hesitated.
"You won't laugh at me?"
"On my honour, no."
"I'm trying to be double-good to-day, so I'm visiting them, like the Bible says we must."