"Yay, I'm going to Tidser though. I've a bit of business to do there before I go hom."
On drove the farmer at what he called a spanking rate; presently they saw the young mill-people on the road before them.
"There are your companions," said James Cheshire; "we shall cut past them like a flash of lightning."
"Oh," exclaimed Jane Dunster, "what will they say at seeing us riding here?" and she blushed brightly.
"Say?" said the young farmer, smiling, "never mind what they'll say; depend upon it, they'd like to be here theirsens."
James Cheshire cracked his whip. The horse flew along. The party of the young mill-hands turned round, and on seeing Jane and Nancy in the cart, uttered exclamations of surprise.
"My word, though!" said Mary Smedley, a fresh buxom lass, somewhat inclined to stoutness.
"Well, if ever!" cried smart little Hannah Bowyer.
"Nay, then, what next?" said Tetty Wilton, a tall, thin girl of very good looks.
The two sisters nodded and smiled to their companions; Jane still blushing rosily, but Nancy sitting as pale and as gravely as if they were going on some solemn business.