The scene
wore the aspect of some unholy assignation in Pandaemonium, and it
was all the more impressive from the fact that both Jim and the woman
were quite unconscious of the striking spectacle they presented. The
gentleman in the carriage watched them till he was borne out of
sight.
Having seen to the kiln, Jim and the widow walked on again, and soon
Mrs. Peach's father met them, and relieved Jim of the lady. When
they had parted, Jim, with an expiration not unlike a breath of
relief; went on to Mr. Vine's, and, having put the horse into the
stable, entered the house. His partner was seated at the table,
solacing himself after the labours of the day by luxurious
alternations between a long clay pipe and a mug of perry.
'Well,' said Jim eagerly, 'what's the news--how do she take it?'
'Sit down--sit down,' said Vine. ''Tis working well; not but that I
deserve something o' thee for the trouble I've had in watching her.
The soldiering was a fine move; but the woman is a better!--who
invented it?'
'I myself,' said Jim modestly.
'Well; jealousy is making her rise like a thunderstorm, and in a day
or two you'll have her for the asking, my sonny. What's the next
step?'
'The widow is getting rather a weight upon a feller, worse luck,'
said Jim. 'But I must keep it up until to-morrow, at any rate.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133