Wade thanked her and there was a moment's silence. Then Eve, who had been smilingly watching the players, turned with lowered voice.
"And sometimes when you come to see us, Mr. Herrick, won't you come through the gate in the hedge, please?"
"Certainly," he answered, looking a little puzzled.
"Does that sound queer?" she asked with a soft laugh. "I suppose it does. There was a time when the dwellers in your house and in mine used that gate in the hedge as my poor old grandfather meant they should. Perhaps I have a fancy to see it used so again. Or perhaps that isn't the reason at all. You have your secret; we'll call this mine. Maybe some day we'll tell our secrets."
"Is that a promise?" he asked, eagerly.
She hesitated a moment. Then, "If you like," she answered, smiling across at him.
"Good! Then let us have it all shipshape, in contract form."
"Oh, you business men!"
"I hereby agree to tell you before I leave Eden Village the name of my mine, and you agree to tell me why—why—"
"Why you are to come to see us by way of the gate in the hedge. Agreed, signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of Miss Caroline Mullett and Doctor Joseph Crimmins."