"
"Preach?" said I.
"Yes, Jessamy never fights now--unless he has to--goes about
preaching. And he preaches as well as he used to fight, and sings as
well as he preaches."
"I should like to meet Jessamy Todd," said I.
"Well, so you will, if you pad the hoof long enough. But now, what
o'clock is it?"
"Half-past twelve," I answered, consulting my watch. "Yet surely it
can't be so late?"
"But it is--look at the sun! And don't you feel 't is dinner time?
There's a little tavern down the lane yonder--let's go and eat."
"Not unless I pay for it--"
"With no money?"
"Here is my watch!"
"Don't be foolish!" she exclaimed, springing to her feet. "Get up and
come along, do! No, stay where you are; things will taste sweeter out
here--they always do. Only don't go trying to run off or any such
foolishness--just stay where you are an' wait for me."
"But--"
"I won't be long--so promise!"
"I promise!"
Waiting for no more, she sped away all lithe and vigorous grace; when
she was out of sight, I lay upon my and, staring up at the rustling
canopy above, became lost in thought, wondering, among other things,
if I could ever possibly attain unto that mysterious virtue she had
called 'game-plucked' and just precisely what it might be.
CHAPTER XIX
HOW AND WHY I FOUGHT WITH ONE GABBING DICK, A PEDDLER
"You won't be wantin' ever a broom, now?"
Starting up in no little amazement, I beheld a man who bore a bundle
of brooms upon his shoulder and a pack upon his back, while round his
neck dangled ribbands and laces of many colours and varieties; a
smallish, grizzled, plump man with an ill-natured face.
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