"Cow," interposed Dinah tersely, "it's the best. Pig comes next, for various reasons."
"We need not go into details," said Mrs Bosenna. "I sent down a cartload this morning and had it well dug in. Provided you dig it deep enough, and don't let it touch the young roots—"
"I thank you kindly, ma'am," said Captain Cai, "and so will my friend
'Bias Hunken when he hears of it."
"Ah, my other tenant?—or tenant in prospect, I ought to say. He has not arrived yet, I understand."
"He's due to-morrow, ma'am, by th' afternoon train."
"You must bring him over to Rilla Farm, to call on me," said Mrs Bosenna graciously.
Captain Cai rubbed his chin. He was taken at unawares; and not finding the familiar beard under his fingers, grew strangely helpless. "As for that, ma'am," he stammered, "I ought to warn you that 'Bias isn' easily caught."
"God defend me!" answered the widow, who had a free way of speaking at times. "Who wants to catch him?"
"You don't take my meanin', ma'am, if you'll excuse me," floundered Captain Cai in a sweat. "I ought to ha' said that 'Bias, though one in a thousand, is terrible shy with females—or ladies, as I should say."
"He'll be all the more welcome for that," said Mrs Bosenna relentlessly.
"You must certainly bring him, Captain Hocken."