[p87]
CHAPTER VIII
ACROSS THE RUBICON
But Larkin came along, Larkin, his auriferous hair glinting in the sun, Larkin, with his empty grocery basket swung on his rein arm, and a sheaf of papers under the other.
Larkin came along. And the whole course of Miss Bibby’s life was thereby changed.
“Good-morning, ma’am,” said the boy; “anything I can fetch yer down fer tea?”
“No, thank you,” said Miss Bibby.
“I’ll post yer letters for you,” continued the youth; “I’m going straight back.”
Miss Bibby reflected a moment.
It would certainly save her some time if he did so, and she had nothing now to do until tea—yes, it would give her a chance to read Thomas’s letter once more, and consider things quietly.
“It’s a bit ’ot, walking,” Larkin said encouragingly. She handed him the letters.