"Well?"
"The lady in Salisbury, as taught me, did say that I should marry a soldier. Alfred laughed at that, till—till he became one."
"You bain't married to a soldier yet."
"No. That's true."
Fancy sighed. Mrs. Yellam went on with some knitting. Suddenly, she said sharply:
"What did they cards say?"
Fancy smiled faintly.
"They said that Alfred would come back—soon."
Mrs. Yellam knitted on. After a long pause, she pronounced a verdict.
"I bain't one to talk about what I don't understand. If so be as Alfred comes back soon, and if he marries 'ee, I may own up that cards do tell truth sometimes."