be called poaching. Oh, they can't get out, bless
ye--you are quite safe! And--and--what a fine day it is, isn't it,
Hannah, for this time of year? Be you going to market next Saturday? How
is your aunt now?" And so on, says Tony, to keep her from talking any
more about love in Milly's hearing.

'But he found his work cut out for him, and wondering again how he should
get out of this ticklish business, he looked about for a chance. Nearing
home he saw his father in a field not far off, holding up his hand as if
he wished to speak to Tony.

'"Would you mind taking the reins a moment, Hannah," he said, much
relieved, "while I go and find out what father wants?"

'She consented, and away he hastened into the field, only too glad to get
breathing time. He found that his father was looking at him with rather
a stern eye.

'"Come, come, Tony," says old Mr. Kytes, as soon as his son was alongside
him, "this won't do, you know."

'"What?" says Tony.

'"Why, if you mean to marry Milly Richards, do it, and there's an end
o't. But don't go driving about the country with Jolliver's daughter and
making a scandal. I won't have such things done."

'"I only asked her--that is, she asked me, to ride home."

'"She? Why, now, if it had been Milly, 'twould have been quite proper;
but you and Hannah Jolliver going about by yourselves--"

'"Milly's there too, father."

'"Milly? Where?"

'"Under the corn-sacks! Yes, the truth is, father, I've got rather into
a nunny-watch, I'm afeard! Unity Sallet is there too--yes, at the other
end, under the tarpaulin. All three are in that waggon, and what to do
with 'em I know no more than the dead! The best plan is, as I'm
thinking, to speak out loud and plain to one of 'em before the rest, and
that will settle it; not but what 'twill cause 'em to kick up a bit of a
miff, for certain. Now which would you marry, father, if you was in my
place?"

'"Whichever of 'em did _not_ ask to ride with thee."

'"That was Milly, I'm bound to say, as she only mounted by my invitation.
But Milly--"

"Then stick to Milly, she's the best . . . But look at that!"

'His father pointed toward the waggon. "She can't hold that horse in.
You shouldn't have left the reins in her hands. Run on and take the
horse's head, or there'll be some accident to them maids!"

'Tony's horse, in fact, in spite of Hannah's tugging at the reins, had
started on his way at a brisk walking pace, being very an