CHAPTER XI.
THE BASKET OF FRUIT.
"I should not have thought, by the way you parted, that you and Mr. Bosworth were old friends."
Jessie seemed annoyed, and replied, with a flush on her cheek, "that it was rather difficult to be demonstrative on horseback."
"At any rate, he's a splendid man," said the widow. "Rich or poor? Bond or free? Tell us all about him. I never thought to inquire before, but this looks serious."
"What strange questions you ask!" answered Jessie, and the color deepened in her cheek.
"Well, well, but the answer?"
Here I interposed: "Mr. Bosworth is not very rich. At least I never heard that he was."
"What a pity!" whispered the widow. "But the other questions?"