e privileges of an invalid; one of which is indecision. Last
night, when your cousin asked me at what time we were to start, I
really could not make up my mind.'

Phillis seemed as if she could not make up her mind as to what to do
with us. I tried to help her,--

'Have you finished getting peas?' taking hold of the half-filled basket
she was unconsciously holding in her hand; 'or may we stay and help
you?'

'If you would. But perhaps it will tire you, sir?' added she, speaking
now to Holdsworth.

'Not a bit,' said he. 'It will carry me back twenty years in my life,
when I used to gather peas in my grandfather's garden. I suppose I may
eat a few as I go along?'

'Certainly, sir. But if you went to the strawberry-beds you would find
some strawberries ripe, and Paul can show you where they are.'

'I am afraid you distrust me. I can assure you I know the exact fulness
at which peas should be gathered. I take great care not to pluck them
when they are unripe. I will not be turned off, as unfit for my work.'
This was a style of half-joking talk that Phillis was not accustomed
to. She looked for a moment as if she would have liked to defend
herself from the playful charge of distrust made against her, but she
ended by not saying a word. We all plucked our peas in busy silence for
the next five minutes. Then Holdsworth lifted himself up from between
the rows, and said, a little wearily,

'I am afraid I must strike work. I am not as strong as I fancied
myself.' Phillis was full of penitence immediately. He did, indeed,
look pale; and she blamed herself for having allowed him to help her.

'It was very thoughtless of me. I did not know--I thought, perhaps, you
really liked it. I ought to have offered you something to eat, sir! Oh,
Paul, we have gathered quite enough; how stupid I was to forget that Mr
Holdsworth had been ill!' And in a blushing hurry she led the way
towards the house. We went in, and she moved a heavy cushioned chair
forwards, into which Holdsworth was only too glad to sink. Then with
deft and quiet speed she brought in a little tray, wine, water, cake,
home-made bread, and newly-churned butter. She stood by in some anxiety
till, after bite and sup, the colour returned to Mr Holdsworth's face,
and he would fain have made us some laughing apologies for the fright
he had given us. But then Phillis drew back from her innocent show of
care and interest, and relapsed into the cold shyness habitual to her
wh