"Kisses! I mean something more than kisses. When you are older you won't weigh love by kisses. You will find love grows deeper down than the kisses that stop in the doorway of your mouth. You will find love sending you on errands like this one I am come on to-day, and you will be grateful enough to run them, though all you buy is rudeness and scorn. Love is a queer plant when you sow it properly. It makes shade for some one man, and you find yourself glad to sit in the open and watch it grow. Come, I am talking wildly again."
"Have him if he's to be got. I'm not breaking my heart what comes."
"Don't let us quarrel. I know you've not asked for my visit. I shall be glad enough to find it done; but we have come together, and let us see together a little while. I have made a bad beginning. I meant to speak gently."
Moll Gregory turned away impatiently. It seemed they had come to a deadlock; but help was at hand. There were the sounds of steps, and a man of moulting appearance with tools upon his shoulder came out of the trees towards the hut. He was passing out of their direction, but he threw a glance over his shoulder before going far on the way. He saw them at once, and stopped.
"Hullo, Moll, gel, out of doors? And a visitor, too. Why, it's Miss Neville from Surprise." He came across at a clumsy, fawning run. "It's Miss Neville, and I'm very pleased to meet you. You may have heard of me from the old gentleman your father. As nice an old gentleman as one would meet in a day's work. Miss Neville, to be sure, doin' us this honour. Miss Neville come our way." A dirty hand was pushed forward. Gregory began to hump his shoulders, pluck his beard and swell his chest. "Well, Miss Neville, and what can have brought you all this way in the heat?"
"I was passing and thought it looked cool among the trees. But I must be away again. I've rested long enough."
Maud moved towards the horse; but Gregory became more friendly. "You won't be gettin' back yet, Miss Neville? Oh, no, Miss Neville, we can't let you go. The missis is inside there. Moll here can get tea going in a minute. Mother! Are you there?"
The woman came out of the house, and stared in their direction.
"Miss Neville from Surprise has come our way. You can give her a taste of tea, can't yer? Come inside, Miss Neville. Yes, we folk will be in a bad way when we have no seat for Miss Neville. A-haw, haw, haw! A-haw, haw, he, haw!"
"No thanks, I'm sorry. I must be going at once. If I am round these parts again I won't forget to call and find out who is at home. I must be going at once. I'm sorry to look so rude."