Part 3 (2/2)
Hannah Moss, at one of the upstairs windows, saw him ride away.
”Drat the man,” she murmured, ”why doesn't he marry her; they're made for each other.”
Eve went for a walk after lunch and her way took her to the village of Little Trent. She was popular with the villagers, the lady bountiful of the district, and gave with a liberal hand.
Abel Head stood outside the Sherwood Inn as she came along, he touched his cap, she stopped.
”We're having glorious weather,” she said. ”I suppose you are going to the Derby?”
”Never miss if I can help,” he replied. ”What's going to win, Miss Berkeley?”
”Merry Monarch,” she answered promptly.
”No!” exclaimed Abel. ”Who told you?”
”That's a secret,” she said laughing.
”He's at a good price.”
”A hundred to eight.”
”I'll risk a trifle on him,” said Abel.
”Don't back him because I've told you,” she said; ”he may lose.”
”He belongs to Baron Childs; he's a straight 'un.”
”He's as straight as they make them,” said Eve. ”How's Richard? Have you heard from him?”
”Not lately, thank you for asking. I wish he'd not joined the army; he'd have done better to stay here and help me,” said Abel.
”Why did he join?” she asked.
”Got restless, I suppose and----” he hesitated.
”And what else?”
”He was very fond of Jane Thrush,” said Abel.
”And Jane did not give him much encouragement?”
”That's about the strength of it,” said Abel.
”Jane is devoted to her father,” said Eve.
”No doubt about that, but she'll wed someday, and d.i.c.k's not a bad sort,” said Abel.
”He'll make a good soldier, Abel.”
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