I was too good-natured to allow it.
I am vexed beyond measure that he should have seen such rusticity."
"Never mind, dear Harriet. Most likely it was no such person, for it
was not well-bred to sit staring at us; and if it were he, you were
not known to him."
"You were."
"Then he must have eyes as sharp as yours are for an air of distinction.
Having only seen me in my blue and primrose suit, how should he know me
in my present trim? Besides, I believe it was only young Dick Jewel in
a cast coat of Squire Humphrey's."
The charm of the cowslip gathering was broken. Eugene found himself
very hungry, and the noonchin was produced, after which the walk was
continued to the farm-house, where the young people were made very
welcome.
Farmers were, as a rule, more rustic than the present labourer, but
they lived a life of far less care, if of more toil, than their
successors, having ample means for their simple needs, and enjoying
jocund plenty. The clean kitchen, with the stone floor, the beaupot
of maythorn on the empty hearth, the shining walnut-wood table, the
spinning-wheel, wooden chairs, and forms, all looked cool and inviting,
and the visitors were regaled with home-made brown bread, delicious
butter and honey, and a choice of new milk, mead, and currant wine.
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