She took the arm he offered, and tottered back to the terrace.
"Bring her to see me in London, and bring her as soon as you can," said. Lady Tintern. "She is the friend I have dreamed of, and never met. When is it going to be?"
"At once," said John, calmly.
"You are the most sensible man I have seen for a long time," said Lady
Tintern.
* * * * *
Peter and Sarah hardly exchanged a word during their return journey from the moors after the unlucky picnic; and at the door of Happy Jack's cottage in Youlestone village she commanded her obedient swain to deposit the luncheon basket, and bade him farewell.
The aged road-mender, to his intense surprise and chagrin, had one morning found himself unable to rise from his bed. He lay there for a week, indignant with Providence for thus wasting his time.
"There bain't nart the matter wi' I! Then why be I a-farced to lie thic way?" he said faintly. "If zo be I wor bod, I cude understand, but I bain't bod. There bain't no pain tu speak on no-wheres. It vair beats my yunderstanding."
"Tis old age be the matter wi' yu, vather," said his mate, a young fellow of sixty or so, who lodged with him.
"I bain't nigh so yold as zum," said Happy Jack, peevishly. "Tis a nice way vor a man tu be tuke, wi'out a thing the matter wi' un, vor the doctor tu lay yold on."