‘I shall find her; but I am glad to have an opportunity of speaking to you first. Can you spare five minutes?’
‘Ten, or more, if it be to pleasure you, Missy,’ answered the gardener, with as near an approach to gallantry as he had ever made. He came down from the steps, and dusted them carefully with his apron. ‘I have no chair to offer you; but you can take a rest here, if you’re no owre proud.’
‘You will not think that of me,’ she said, smiling, ‘although I prefer to stand.’
‘Please yoursel’, Missy, just please yoursel’, and you’ll no dee in the pet. That’s what I aye say to onybody that maun hae their ain way.’
‘And what do you say to those who cannot have their own way?’
‘Oh, I say to them, you’ll just hae to do as you are bidden.’
‘Is that what you would say to Pansy, if she wanted very much to have her own way about something?’
‘That would depend on what was the way she wanted,’ was the cautious reply.
‘Well, Mr Culver, I am going to do what will offend you’——
‘That’s no possible.’