Part 6 (2/2)
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--”It is a lovely day.”
_True Love_.--”Yes, but the drought is getting rather oppressive, don't you think?”
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--”The crops certainly need rain, and the feed is becoming scarce.”
_True Love_.--”Are you a farmer's wife?”
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--”Oh no! that is a promotion to look forward to; I am now only a Goose Girl.”
_True Love_.--”Indeed! If I wished to be severe I might remark: that I am sure you have found at last your true vocation!”
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--”It was certainly through no desire to please _you_ that I chose it.”
_True Love_.--”I am quite sure of that! Are you staying in this part?”
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--”Oh no! I live many miles distant, over an extremely rough road. And you?”
_True Love_.--”I am still at the Hydropathic; or at least my luggage is there.”
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--”It must be very pleasant to attract you so long.”
_True Love_.--”Not so pleasant as it was.”
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--”No? A new proprietor, I suppose.”
_True Love_.--”No; same proprietor; but the house is empty.”
_Bailiff's Daughter_ (yawning purposely).--”That is strange; the hotels are usually so full at this season. Why did so many leave?”
_True Love_.--”As a matter of fact, only one left. 'Full' and 'empty'
are purely relative terms. I call a hotel full when it has you in it, empty when it hasn't.”
_Bailiff's Daughter_ (dying to laugh, but concealing her feelings).--”I trust my bulk does not make the same impression on the general public!
Well, I won't detain you longer; good afternoon; I must go home to my evening work.”
_True Love_.--”I will accompany you.”
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--”If you are a gentleman you will remain where you are.”
_True Love_.--”In the road? Perhaps; but if I am a man I shall follow you; they always do, I notice. What are those foolish bundles in the back of that silly cart?”
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--”Feed for the pony, please, sir; fish for dinner; randans and barley meal for the poultry; and four unsold rabbits.
Wouldn't you like them? Only one and sixpence apiece. Shot at three o'clock this morning.”
_True Love_.--”Thanks; I don't like mine shot so early.”
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