She touched up the horse and the dog-cart shot forward. Abner went on his way encouraged.
‘Where did you try to-day?’ Mary asked him. She was doing her utmost to appear interested in his quest. Indeed she could not well do less.
‘Up to The Dyke . . . Prosser’s place.’
Mary blushed. ‘Did you see any one there?’
‘The place was all shut up,’ he said, ‘but I met a young lady as I took to be Mr Prosser’s daughter in the drive just after I turned back.’
‘What age was she?’
‘Summat about yourn.’
‘Dark?’
‘Ah, darkish. There was a young ’un along with her.’
‘How was she dressed?’