“And you have given them enough for three feeds.”
“Why did you put so much in the bag? Besides you know it is the last feed I shall give her. Poor dear little Gypsy,” she added, patting the neck of her dapple grey; “you have found a kind mistress for her, dear, haven't you?”
“Yes; I know she will be lightly worked and well cared for,” he said shortly, turning away, and busying himself with the basket again.
“But no one will ever love you, Gipsy, like your old mistress. Now give me a kiss, and you shall have your treat,” and she pulled a piece of sugar out of the pocket of her riding habit; at the sight of which the grey held out her beautiful nose to be fondled, and then lapped up the sugar with eager lips from Mary's hand, and turned to her corn.
The young wife tripped across, and sat down near her husband, who was laying out their luncheon on the turf.
“It was very kind of you think of coming here for our last ride,” she said. “I remember how charmed I was with the place the first Sunday I ever spent at Englebourn, when Katie brought me up here directly after breakfast, before we went to the school. Such a time ago it seems—before I ever saw you. And I have never been here since. But I love it most for your sake, dear. Now, tell me again all the times you have been here.”
Tom proceeded to recount some of his visits to the Hawk's Lynch, in which we have accompanied him. Then they talked on about Katie, and East, and the Englebourn people, past and present, old Betty, and Harry and his wife in New Zealand, and David patching coats and tending bees, and executing the Queen's justice to the best of his ability in the village at their feet.
“Poor David, I must get over somehow to see him before we leave home. He feels your uncle's death, and the other changes in the parish, more than anyone.”
“I am so sorry the living was sold,” said Mary; “Katie and her husband would have made Englebourn into a little paradise.”
“It could not be helped, dear. I can't say I'm sorry. There would not have been work enough for him. He is better where he is, in a great town-parish.”