Avice looked aside at the statuary as if the subtleties of her organization were not very easy to define.
‘Was he that black-bearded typical local character I saw you walking with one Sunday? The same surname as mine; though, of course, you don’t notice that in a place where there are only half-a-dozen surnames?’
‘Yes, that was Ike. It was that evening we disagreed. He scolded me, and I answered him (you must have heard us); and the next day he went away.’
‘Well, as I say, I must consider what it will be best to do for you in this. The first thing, it seems to me, will be to get your husband home.’
She impatiently shrugged her shoulders. ‘I don’t like him!’
‘Then why did you marry him?’
‘I was obliged to, after we’d proved each other by island custom.’
‘You shouldn’t have thought of such a thing. It is ridiculous and out of date nowadays.’
‘Ah, he’s so old-fashioned in his notions that he doesn’t think like that. However, he’s gone.’
‘Ah—it is only a tiff between you, I dare say. I’ll start him in business if he’ll come.... Is the cottage at home still in your hands?’