"Ah yes—that is, it does not much matter," replied John, absently. "I daresay you will give my message to him; and that will do as well."
"That depends on what it is, Mr. Tincroft," rejoined the little coquette. "If there is no harm in it, perhaps I may."
"Oh, there is no harm in it," said John. "I came over to say good-bye, that's all, or pretty nearly all. I must go back to Oxford to-morrow."
Once more the pretty, "Oh my, Mr. Tincroft!" was ejaculated. "Well, I do wonder at that," was lightly added.
"Do you, Miss Wilson?"
"Yes, to be sure, Mr. Tincroft. Didn't you tell us—father I mean—that you shouldn't be leaving these parts for another month?"
"Did I, Miss Wilson? Ah yes, I believe I may have said so; but you see we cannot always tell what may happen. I have had a letter from my lawyer this morning." John said this rather proudly, as though a lawyer for his own especial behoof was a necessary part of his bachelor condition.
Poor Tincroft! He is not the only one who has made a brag of "my lawyer."
"Oh dear! I didn't think you were going away so soon," said Sarah.
And then, this leading to nothing—for she did not evince any anxiety to know what special communication Mr. Tincroft had received from the High Court of Chancery—they recommenced operations on the filbert trees.