, Mrs Trivett would be proud to welcome 'ee."

"I should be delighted. Perhaps, if you would like to teach me, I'd
have organ lessons."

"I get so little time, miss. What day will 'ee come to the varm?"

"Next Saturday, if I may,"

"That's zettled. I'm glad you be coming zoon; the colour of the young
grass be wonderful."

"Indeed!" remarked Mavis, as she looked at him, surprised.

"That's the advantage of varming," continued Trivett: "you zee natur in
zo many colours and zo many moods."

Thus talking, they reached the churchyard gates, where Mavis released
Jill, who was delighted at being set at liberty.

Mavis said goodbye to Trivett and recrossed the churchyard on her way
to the river. As she walked, she wondered at Trivett's strange
conjunction of pursuits; also, if he were as good a farmer as he was a
musician.

She found the part of the river nearest to the church crowded with
holiday bathers, so turned aside in the direction of her nook, where
she was tolerably certain of getting quiet. Arrived there, she found
her expectation was not belied. She felt dazed and tired with the
emotions she had experienced; she reclined on the ground to look lazily
at the beauty spread so bountifully about her.

Nature was now at her best. She was like a fair young mother radiant
with the joys attaching to the birth of her firstborn. The striking of
the quarter on the church clock was borne to her on the light wind; she
heard a rumble and caught a glimpse through the young foliage of the
white panelled carriages of a train speeding to Weymouth.

She settled herself for a repose of suspended thought, thankful that
there was no prospect of her peace being interfered with. She had not
lain long when she was disturbed by a plashing of water, at which Jill
was vigorously barking.

She raised her head to see a man swimming; her eyes were fascinated by
the whiteness of the man's flesh. After a while, he returned, to pass
and repass her two or three times. Then, to her consternation, he
approached the bank near to where she lay. She sat up; a few moments
later, the man's head and shoulders appeared among the grasses upon the
river bank.

"Good morning," said the man.

Mavis took no notice, but called to Jill.

"Good morning," repeated the man, who was young and pleasant-looking.

Mavis did not reply.

"Would little Mavis mind moving a little further up the bank?"
continued the man.

Mavis looked at him in astonished