nded the 'spreader' at Bridetown Mill, came to see her aunt-t

re was work for her at 'The Seven Stars,' and Mrs. Northover proved very busy. A holiday party of five-and-twenty guests was a

a croquet lawn for those who enjoyed that pastime. Lawn tennis she would not permit, out of respect for her herbaceous border which surrounded the place of entertainment. At one corner wa

ere very blue. Of a fair-minded and honest spirit, she suffered from an excitable temper and rather sharp tongue. But her moods were un

e herbaceous border and cut flowers to decorate the table. While she pursued this work there bus

's a month of Sundays since you was in my gardens. I'll

. Northover, since tea parties were not a branch of business he cared about, she returned his good serv

during church hours, I will do so; but you know how busy we all are in August. And I don't want no flowers; b

he answered. "I'll tell J

e him a rose. Then he admired the grass,

rt," he assured her. "There's lots try to grow

had the charge of a bowling-green at his uncle's public;

essed Richard; "a sheet-anchor and a

n a calm moment, I run my mind over Job Legg, an

however. He's got a snu

y, though there's some

ndeed you find such an honest chap with such a lot of intellects. The clever ones are mostly the do

for none knows what honesty means better than you,"

. Almost the last sensible thing my poor dear said to me before he died was never to g

as most of 'em-in fact far better; but a man is terrible quick to trade on the good opinion of his fellow ma

though, even if he knew it, he's far too fine a character to tak

ay, while Nelly took a sheaf of flowers to the s

her niece'

said. "But you're one of the sensible sort, and you wo

e turne

ll up and wants the four-horse stable," she told him. It was part of Jo

dy here, and now if Sarah will lend a hand at the t

d forgott

e them very near off your hands before the big lot comes. I'll see to the stable and get in a bit of fr

sat down a moment while he

-tables like yo

ng sweet and clean about 'em. Such nicer characters don't like poultry messing round and common things in sight while they eat and drink. I know what I feel myself about a clean cloth and

bunch of flowers from

ra

Job Legg understands the ways of 'em, and you see the result. You ca

s sweet peas

n a manner given to few. He'll bring out

man, is wonderful in a

great fruit

he season I fling in a bit of fruit sometimes. It always comes as a pleas

a lesser entertainment under prepar

already busy there, an

ty. Some sat on the gra

g feats with the croque

young

aller groups were all attended to and tea was served in Mrs. Northover's private sitting-room behind the bar for herself, Sarah a

ve some tea," sa

he answered, "but could v

r Roberts, Sarah

inst Chilcombe. They've asked him to play for Bridport sinc

sn't he?" as

ever once touched a drop in al

aid Mrs. Northover. "And I say that, though a publican a

tell you this to your face, Missis Northover. Not an hour ago I was at 'The Tiger,' to let Richard Gurd know the stable was ready, and in the private bar there were six young men, all dr

head and dr

ver changed

asked. "Do the people

. And Mister Daniel's brother, Mister Raymond's,

that young sport, Motyer, and others like him. I don't like Motyer's face. He's a shifty chap, and a thorn in h

you say he's a 'cure,'

ut he plays about half his time and you can't help laughing. He's so friendly as if he was one of us; but S

siness," declared Job. "I understand his brother's been very proper about him,

s he must learn, and so he's always wandering around. But everybody likes him, except Levi B

Sarah stayed to supper, and it was not until h

ing her half holiday in Bridport. Now she met Sarah, by appoin