The milkmaid's trackless course led her up the hill and past this
erection. At ease as to being watched and scolded as an intruder,
her mind flew to other matters; till, at the moment when she was not
a yard from the shelter, she heard a foot or feet scraping on the
gravel behind it. Some one was in the all-the-year-round, apparently
occupying the seat on the other side; as was proved when, on turning,
she saw an elbow, a man's elbow, projecting over the edge.
Now the young woman did not much like the idea of going down the hill
under the eyes of this person, which she would have to do if she went
on, for as an intruder she was liable to be called back and
questioned upon her business there. Accordingly she crept softly up
and sat in the seat behind, intending to remain there until her
companion should leave.
This he by no means seemed in a hurry to do. What could possibly
have brought him there, what could detain him there, at six o'clock
on a morning of mist when there was nothing to be seen or enjoyed of
the vale beneath, puzzled her not a little. But he remained quite
still, and Margery grew impatient. She discerned the track of his
feet in the dewy grass, forming a line from the house steps, which
announced that he was an inhabitant and not a chance passer-by. At
last she peeped round.
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