Nancy sat upright in a chair and said, “Well, Gregory, what’s all this about? Fancy dragging me off from my mother like that in the middle of town!”
“Nancy, don’t be cross. I had to see you.”
She pouted. “You come out to the old farm often enough and don’t show any particular wish to see me there.”
“That’s nonsense. I always come to see youlately in particular. Besides, you’re more interested in Bert Neckland, aren’t you?”
“Bert Neckland, indeed! Why should I be interested in him?
Not that it’s any of your business if I am.”
“It is my business, Nancy. I love you, Nancy!”
He had not meant to blurt it out in quite that fashion, but now it was out, it was out, and he pressed home bis disadvantage by crossing the room, kneeling at her feet, and taking her hands in his. “Nancy, darling Nancy, say that you like me just a little. Encourage me somewhat.”
“You are a very fine gentleman, Gregory, and I feel very kind towards you, to be sure, but …”
“But?”
She gave him the benefit of her downcast eyes again.
“Your station in life is very different from mine, and besideswell, you don’t do anything.”
He was shocked into silence. With the natural egotism of youth, he had not seriously thought that she could have any firm objection to him; but in her words he suddenly saw the truth of his position, at least as it was revealed to her.
“Nancy1well, it’s true I do not seem to you to be working at present. But I do a lot of reading and studying here, and I write to several important people in the world. And all the time I am coming to a great decision about what my career will be. I do assure you I am no loafer, if that’s what you think.”
“No. I don’t think that. But Bert says you often spend a convivial evening in that there ‘Wayfarer.’ “
“Oh, he does, does he? And what business is it of his if I door of yours, come to that? What damned cheek!”
She stood up. “If you have nothing left to say but a lot of swearing, I’ll be off to join my mother, if you don’t mind.”
“Oh, by Jove, I’m making a mess of this!” He caught her wrist. “Listen, my sweet thing. I ask you only this, that you try and look on me favorably. And also that you let me say a word about the farm. Some strange things are happening there, and I seriously don’t like to think of you being there at night.
All these young things being born, all these little pigsit’s uncanny!”
“I don’t see what’s uncanny no more than my father does. I know how hard he works, and he’s done a good job rearing his animals, that’s all. He’s the best farmer round Cottersall by a long chalk.”
“Oh, certainly. He’s a wonderful man. But he didn’t put seven or eight eggs into a hedge sparrow’s nest, did he? He didn’t fill the pond with tadpoles and newts till it looks like a broth, did he? Something strange is happening on your farm this year, Nancy, and I want to protect you if I can.”
The earnestness with which he spoke, coupled perhaps with his proximity and the ardent way he pressed her hand, went a good way towards mollifying Nancy.
“Dear Gregory, you don’t know anything about farm life, I don’t reckon, for all your books. But you’re very sweet to be concerned.”
“I shall always be concerned about you, Nancy, you beautiful creature.”
“You’ll make me blush!”
“Please do, for then you look even lovelier than usual!” He put an arm around her. When she looked up at him, he caught her up close to his chest and kissed her fervently.
She gasped and broke away, but not with too great haste.
“Oh, Gregory! Oh, Gregory! I must go to Mother now!”
“Another kiss first! I can’t let you go until I get another.”
He took it, and stood by the door trembling with excitement as she left. “Come and see us again soon,” she whispered.