"There's me, won't I do?" he asked laughing.
"Oh yes, you'll do very well indeed, but I have to be careful; I'm a lone woman and people talk."
"Let 'em," said Alan.
"That's all very well from your standpoint; you're a man, that makes all the difference."
"Not in these days. Women are taking a hand in most things, giving the men a lead. They are independent; probably they are right."
"Yes, I think they are, but still there are some things they cannot do; women are more likely to be talked about than men, it matters more to them."
"Why should it?"
"Because women are women, I can't give you a better answer," she said laughing.
"I met Jane Thrush as I came past the monastery," he said. "Pretty girl, is she not? She seems to like her lonely life at the cottage, at least she says so."
"A very pretty girl, and a good girl," was her reply.