While he pondered this, Brother Copas stumbled straight upon another shock. The small gate of the cabbage-plot creaked on its hinge… and behold, in the pathway ahead stood a woman! In the moonlight he recognised her.
"Nurse Branscome!"
"Brother Copas!… Why, what in the world are you doing—at this hour—and here, of all places?"
"Upon my word," retorted Copas, "I might ask you the same question. … But on second thoughts I prefer to lie boldly and confess that I have been stealing cabbages."
"Is that a cabbage you are hiding under your gown?"
"It might be, if this place hadn't been destitute of cabbages these twelve months and more.… Pardon my curiosity: but is that also a cabbage you are hiding under your cloak?"
"It might be—" But here laughter—quiet laughter—got the better of them both.
"I might have known it," said Brother Copas, recovering himself. "Her father is outside her door abjectly beseeching her to be as naughty as she pleases, if only she won't be unhappy. And she— woman-like—is using her advantage to nag him."
'But if ne'er so fast you wall her—'
'But if ne'er so fast you wall her—'