Grimshaw laughed gaily.
“What a coincidence! I, too, shall be under the big tree at that very time.”
With that pleasant assurance he went his way. Cicely took from her basket a pint of port wine, some linen, and a small basin of clear soup in jelly. Whilst she was doing this, Nicky, the softy, came in and grinned at her knowingly. Cicely greeted him:
“Well, Nicky, how are you?”
“I seen you mumbudgettin’ wi’ doctor, I did.”
Cicely exhibited slight confusion.
“Oh! How did you see us?”
“Through crack i’ door, I did.”
What he saw, however, was not destined to be revealed, because a sharp tap at the cottage door interrupted the duologue.
“Come in,” said Cicely, much relieved.