"Middling," she answered. "My aunt's been terrible bad with bronchitis this winter. Poor soul, it'll carry her off one of these days, I reckon."
"What's Borheddon like?" he asked.
"Nothing much. Nothing to do, you know. But I like a bit of quiet just for a day or two. How've you been keeping, Mr. Brandon?"
"Oh, I'm all right. I shall be off to London to look for a job one of these days."
He looked up at her suddenly, sharply, as though he wanted to catch her interest. But she showed no emotion.
"Well, I expect this is slow for you, a little place like this. Plenty going on in London, I expect."
"Yes. Do you ever think you'd like to go there?"
"Daresay I shall one of these days. Never know your luck. But I'm not terrible anxious.... Well, I must be getting on."
He caught her eyes and held them.
"Come back for a moment when you're less busy. I've got something I want to say to you."