e to fret him."

Samuel, however, with all his virtues, weren't much a man for a joke, and
at another time this speech would have earned a rebuke from him in the
name of law and order. But afore Cicely, and in sound of her voice, he
felt amazed to find law and order sink into the background for a minute,
though for a minute only, of course.

He explained he was on duty and mustn't have no refreshment just then; but
such is the power of passion that he loitered a full sixty seconds after
he'd set down Cicely's basket.

"You come in and taste my sloe gin another day, then," said Green, who
knew Samuel was in the other camp with the gamekeepers and liked the
thought of pulling his leg; but the surprise was Chawner's then, for
instead of a short answer, Samuel thanked him as mild as milk, vowed that
to his way of thinking sloe gin couldn't be beat and said he'd certainly
accept the invitation and come for a drop. Nor did he leave it doubtful
when he would come. He acted very crafty indeed and invited Chawner to
name the time and hour; on hearing which the girl showed so much interest
as he did himself and fixed the time and hour for him.

"Fetch in to tea o' Sunday, Mr. Borlase," she said. "I make father put on
his black 'Sundays' of an afternoon, and I'll see he's to home."

Then Sam went his way, and when he was gone Cicely praised him for a very
understanding chap.

"The sloan in them thickets be a joy," she said, "and if you'll buy the
gin, I'll get the fruit. And I dare say he'll catch me there again come
presently. He's a handsome fellow, whatever else he may be."

So it began that way, and then the majesty of love got hold upon 'em and
enlarged both their minds as it be wont to do. For there's nothing further
from the truth than the saying that love makes a man, or a woman, a fool.

Anyway, Samuel come to tea, and he ate a big one and drank two glasses of
the sloe gin after; and when he went away, he knew he loved Cicely Green
better than anything in the world, and she knew she loved him. But while
the man went home and confessed his secret to his mother, a good bit to
her astonishment, the girl hid her heart from her father and only showed
it in her eyes when she was all alone. The signs amazed her, for she had
never loved before, and when she found as she couldn't trespass for no
more sloes after all, it broke in upon her that she must already be
terrible addicted to Samuel. Because to obey any such order fr