"Because if you should happen to fall in love wi' her and really want
to marry her, which I don't suppose--and she was foolish enough to let
you--which I'm pretty sure she wouldn't, being of a proud temper and
mighty independent--'t would be a very bad thing for you and a
terrible shock to that fine aunt and those rich uncles o' yours as you
told me of--"
"And why should it be?"
"Because Anna ain't of your world and not being born wi' drawing-room
manners she'd shock you twenty times a day, throw your fine aunt into
a fit and give your uncles paralytic strokes--Anna's all right in her
way but--"
"She's a very beautiful girl!" said I hotly. "And good as she's
beautiful!"
"She is!" said the Tinker heartily. "Sweet an' good still, in spite of
everything, an' I know--I've watched her grow up--"
"And taken care of her," I added, "like the good friend you are."
"I've done what I could, when I could, but she's mostly had to take
care of herself and done it well, too--for she's as brave as--"
"As Diana--as beautiful and as chaste!" said I.
"Quite sure as you ain't fallen in love--or falling, friend
Peregrine?"
"Of course--quite."
"To--be--sure!" murmured the Tinker drowsily. "But though your pockets
be empty, you ain't in any violent hurry to get back to your
luxoorious home, are ye?"
"No!" said I.
"By reason of Anna?"
"By reason that, like her, I have learned to love the Silent Places.
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