Rose's eyebrows lifted in surprise. Matilda regarded him anxiously.
"Yea, I have received an urgent call. I had come to tell thee."
But there had been no call, and Rose's mocking eyes seemed to read his subterfuge.
"Wilt return for the Fair?" she asked.
"Surely," he answered, "I have promised to be there. Men will gather there from every county."
"I will be there," she announced quickly, and then laughed to see the dismay in his face.
"And Matilda, too, surely?" he hastened to ask. But Matilda shook her head.
"I may not be spared," she said gently.
"Oh, yes, Matilda is the saint. I am the selfish, wilful one," laughed Rose, who seemed determined to make Annys uncomfortable.