I threw some halfpence amongst the children, and turned away.
As I did so, two ladies came out of the lodge; one, a handsome dark-eyed girl, a casual acquaintance of mine, came eagerly to my side.
“Now, Miss Morgan, I call this provoking; what right have you to go away, just when I want to know you!”
“What do you mean?” I asked, bluntly.
“You are going away from Tynycymmer?”
“Indeed we are not,” I said.
“Well, but my mother heard it from—oh! I forgot,” blushing deeply and looking confused. “I was not to say. Of course it is not the case, or you would know—just idle gossip; I am sorry I mentioned it, but so glad you are not going.”
“Good-night,” I said, holding out my hand.
I had retraced a few steps home, when my little friend ran after me.
“Please, please, Miss Morgan, you won’t speak of this; I should get into trouble, indeed.”