"What a funny idea!"
"'Twas a failure. Sort of a gentleman farmer had the notion he knew better than others, and tried it on year after year till he made a laughing-stock of himself. Anyhow, that's the tale. Mr. Bates has shown me the basis of the pits--built over now by the buildings you were looking at. Ah, here is the old fellow."
Mr. Bates driving toward them in his gig pulled up, and invited Dale to do so also.
"How are you, William?" And he took off his hat to Mrs. Dale. "Your servant, madam. Turn head about, William, and come into my place and take a bit of refreshment."
"No, thank you, Mr. Bates. Not to-day. Some other time."
"No time like the present. A cup of tea, Mrs. Dale. I don't care to see those I count as friends pass my place without stopping."
"I know you mean what you say," said Dale cordially; "but we're for Old Manninglea--business appointment."
"Then I mustn't hinder you. But look in on your way back. Your servant, madam."
Mavis liked the fresh clean complexion and the silvery white hair of Mr. Bates, and there was something very pleasing in his old-fashioned mode of address, his courteous way of saluting her, and his gentle friendly smile as he spoke to her husband.
"Will," she said, as they drove on, "I believe Mr. Bates is really fond of you."
Dale gave a snort; and then after a long pause spoke with strong emphasis.
"I'll tell you, Mavis, what Mr. Bates is. He's a good man, every bit and crumb of him. There's no one between the downs and the sea that I feel the same respect for that I do for that old gentleman."
"Yes, Will, I know you've always praised him."
"And since you make the remark, I'll admit its truth. I do verily believe that Mr. Bates is fond of me." Then he laughed bitterly. "I'm not aware of any one else I could say it of."
"Oh, Will--there's lots are fond of you."
"No--none. That was one small part of my lesson last month in London. I got that tip, straight, at the G.P.O."
"Will!"
They were driving now through the woods, and Mavis, glancing from time to time at her husband's face, saw that it had become fearfully somber. She guessed that this indicated an unfortunate turn of thought, and she talked incessantly in the hope of rendering such thought difficult, if not impossible.