Part 30 (1/2)

”And he do admire you both so much,” said Jeannette.

”Of course I don't want to offend him for many reasons,” said the aunt, looking knowingly at her niece.

”I don't know anything about your reasons, aunt, but if I were you, I should leave the basket just as it is till he comes in the afternoon.”

”Would you mind seeing him yourself, Kate, and explaining to him that it won't do to get on in this way. Perhaps you wouldn't mind telling him that if he'll promise not to bring any more, you won't object to take this one.”

”Indeed, aunt, I can't do that. They're not brought to me.”

”Oh, Kate!”

”Nonsense, aunt;--I won't have you say so;--before Jeannette, too.”

”I think it's for both, ma'am; I do indeed. And there certainly ain't any cream to be bought like it in Norwich:--nor yet eggs.”

”I wonder what there is in the basket.” And the widow lifted up the corner of the cloth. ”I declare if there isn't a turkey poult already.”

”My!” said Jeannette. ”A turkey poult! Why, that's worth ten and sixpence in the market if it's worth a penny.”

”It's out of the question that I should take upon myself to say anything to him about it,” said Kate.

”Upon my word I don't see why you shouldn't, as well as I,” said Mrs.

Greenow.

”I'll tell you what, ma'am,” said Jeannette: ”let me just ask him who they're for;--he'll tell me anything.”

”Don't do anything of the kind, Jeannette,” said Kate. ”Of course, aunt, they're brought for you. There's no doubt about that. A gentleman doesn't bring cream and turkeys to-- I've never heard of such a thing!”

”I don't see why a gentleman shouldn't bring cream and turkeys to you just as well as to me. Indeed, he told me once as much himself.”

”Then, if they're for me, I'll leave them down outside the front door, and he may find his provisions there.” And Kate proceeded to lift the basket off the table.

”Leave it alone, Kate,” said Mrs. Greenow, with a voice that was rather solemn; and which had, too, something of sadness in its tone.

”Leave it alone. I'll see Mr. Cheesacre myself.”

”And I do hope you won't mention my name. It's the most absurd thing in the world. The man never spoke two dozen words to me in his life.”

”He speaks to me, though,” said Mrs. Greenow.

”I dare say he does,” said Kate.

”And about you, too, my dear.”

”He doesn't come here with those big flowers in his b.u.t.ton-hole for nothing,” said Jeannette,--”not if I knows what a gentleman means.”

”Of course he doesn't,” said Mrs. Greenow.

”If you don't object, aunt,” said Kate, ”I will write to grandpapa and tell him that I will return home at once.”