"He will be homealong soon," she whispered.
"How do 'ee know? You ain't got a letter saying so?"
"N-n-no."
Mrs. Yellam's voice became testy again.
"Then how do 'ee know?"
Fancy hesitated, blushing. But Mrs. Yellam pressed her point. Finally, the girl made confession. When Alfred went to France, she had consulted the cards.
Mrs. Yellam exploded. What ridiculous notions young maids got, to be sure! Cards, indeed! Very scornfully, she informed Fancy of the existence of a so-called wise woman, half-gypsy, who lived in a tumble-down cottage at Ocknell.
"You go and see that old grammer. 'Twill cost 'ee sixpence. For a shillin' she'll tell 'ee a fine fortin, marry 'ee to a young lord, and make 'ee the mother o' nine children. I ha' no patience wi' such tricks."
Fancy said humbly:
"Alfred thinks it foolishness, just as you do, but ..."