"You are the most punctual of tenants!" laughed Mrs Bosenna, taking the two envelopes. "But after all, they say, short reckonin's make long friends."
She divided a glance between them, to be shared as they would.
"But as I was suggestin' ma'am—why not attend the sale and outbid the fellow?"
"So I can, of course: and so I will, perhaps. Still it's not pleasant to live by a neighbour who thinks he can walk in and hector you, just because you're a woman."
"You want protection: that's what you want," observed 'Bias fatuously.
"In your place," said Cai with more tact, "I should forbid him the premises."
For some reason Mrs Bosenna omitted to invite them to stay and drink tea: and after a while they took their leave together. At the foot of the descent, as they gained the highroad, Cai faced about and asked, "Which way?"
"I was thinkin' to stretch my legs around Four Turnin's," answered 'Bias, although as a matter of fact the intention had that instant occurred to him.
"Well, so long!" Cai nodded and turned towards the town. "Compliments of the season," he added.
"Same to you."