"Don't do it again," said John quickly.
She raised her eyebrows, met his glance, and looked away.
"I can't get on with my work while you two are gossiping here."
"Come home, John. Father's iller. Notya's too much worried to be cross. She had a letter—Aren't you interested?"
He was thinking, "I'll start breaking up that ground tomorrow," and behind that conscious thought there was another: "I shall be able to watch her going in and out."
"John—"
"No, I'm not interested. Go home and look after your uncle. I've a lot to think about."
She left him sitting on a fence and staring creatively at his knees.