"
"What, you an' Anna?"
"Who else, my Jeremy?"
"But she's a-breaking her 'eart over summat or other--"
"No, she's lying fast asleep in the loft yonder and looking as
sweet--as good and pure as--as--"
"As she is, Peregrine!"
"Yes, Jerry. But what are you doing here, God bless you!"
"Didn't you know as she wrote me two days since--app'inting me to meet
her here--and here I am, a bit early p'raps, but then I thought she
was lonely--in trouble, d'ye see--in trouble. And then, Lord, if you
only knew how hungry--aye, ravenous I am for sight of her arter all
this time--"
"Why, then, you shall see her--at once."
"Nay, let her have her sleep out; let's you an' me get a fire going.
I've a frying pan in my cart over yonder--ham an' eggs, lad!"
"God bless you again, Jerry--breakfast! And here among the trees it
will be like old times, though Jessamy ought to be with us, of
course."
"Well he's over at my little camp not so far away. I'm pitched t'
other side Amberley wood."
"How is he, Jerry?"
"Mighty well. He's rich again, y' see--aye, richer than ever an'
pursooed by several widders in consequence. He's come into a mort o'
money, has Jessamy. But you know all about it, o' course?"
"Not a word."
"Lord, an' 't was your uncle, Sir Jervas, as done it! Left Jess
five--thousand--pound! Think o' that!"
Thus, talking like the old friends we were, we set about collecting
sticks and soon had the fire burning merrily.
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