“You, lass, have less wit than most girls, if you think any one would turn away a moneyed captain because of a little serving slut,” she said.
Anny looked round her helplessly.
“Did you see Mother Nan yesterday?” she asked suddenly.
Pet began to swear.
“I did,” she said viciously. “The old ronyon! Come prowling around here for a look at your grandsire, like an old hen clucking for its chick.”
“Did—did she not speak with you of me?” Anny’s voice trembled.
Pet laughed again.
“Lord, girl! the whole Island don’t spend its time thinking and talking o’ you,” she said. “I heard naught of you from her——”
Anny looked round her hopelessly, the tears welling into her eyes. The sun had sunk out of sight behind the belt of oaks on the Island and everything around had grown gray and cool.
Suddenly she turned and threw herself before the old woman.