The child patted his hand as if she had been some old aunt of his.
'You were not afraid, were you, Mr Blake?' she said.
'Well, Lotty, a voice like that isn't calculated to raise the drooping spirits of a lone man like me. Have you done rehearsal?'
'Oh yes, and now, if you please, we can ramble off to the hills with Wallace. But we could ride, Mr Blake, if you prefer it. There is one big, wild black horse that only I can manage; but I have taken Skeleton up behind me sometimes, and I'm sure I could manage with you.'
Antony laughed. He didn't quite fancy this style of riding, being really a good cross-country man, and having taken part in many a steeplechase.
'I'm a little afraid,' he said modestly. 'Had we not better walk?'
Lotty was dressed for the hill, and very charming she looked in her bright but light half-gipsy cloak, her kirtle of red, and silken bandana gracefully worn on the head, which did not hide her marvellous hair, however.
She carried a long but pretty shepherd's crook; and, with the huge raven-black Newfoundland with the pink tongue and alabaster teeth bounding and flashing round her, Lotty was really a picture.
Everybody, fisher-folks and farmer-folks, had a kind word and a smile for the child, and doubtless they meant what they said.
Here are the remarks Antony could not help hearing from two fisher-wives: