“Then he can come in and have a drop of the last brew,” declared Chawner; “but just look round afore he enters and see as no fur nor feathers be about in the house-place to fret him.”

Samuel, however, with all his virtues, weren’t much a man for a joke, and at another time this speech would have earned a rebuke from him in the name of law and order.  But afore Cicely, and in sound of her voice, he felt amazed to find law and order sink into the background for a minute, though for a minute only, of course.

He explained he was on duty and mustn’t have no refreshment just then; but such is the power of passion that he loitered a full sixty seconds after he’d set down Cicely’s basket.

“You come in and taste my sloe gin another day, then,” said Green, who knew Samuel was in the other camp with the gamekeepers and liked the thought of pulling his leg; but the surprise was Chawner’s then, for instead of a short answer, Samuel thanked him as mild as milk, vowed that to his way of thinking sloe gin couldn’t be beat and said he’d certainly accept the invitation and come for a drop.  Nor did he leave it doubtful when he would come.  He acted very crafty indeed and invited Chawner to name the time and hour; on hearing which the girl showed so much interest as he did himself and fixed the time and hour for him.

“Fetch in to tea o’ Sunday, Mr. Borlase,” she said.  “I make father put on his black ‘Sundays’ of an afternoon, and I’ll see he’s to home.”

Then Sam went his way, and when he was gone Cicely praised him for a very understanding chap.

“The sloan in them thickets be a joy,” she said, “and if you’ll buy the gin, I’ll get the fruit.  And I dare say he’ll catch me there again come presently.  He’s a handsome fellow, whatever else he may be.”

So it began that way, and then the majesty of love got hold upon ’em and enlarged both their minds as it be wont to do.  For there’s nothing further from the truth than the saying that love makes a man, or a woman, a fool.

Anyway, Samuel come to tea, and he ate a big one and drank two glasses of the sloe gin after; and when he went away, he knew he loved Cicely Green better than anything in the world, and she knew she loved him.  But while the man went home and confessed his secret to his mother, a good bit to her astonishment, the girl hid her heart from her father and only showed it in her eyes when she was all alone.  The signs amazed her, for she had never loved before, and when she found as she couldn’t trespass for no more sloes after all, it broke in upon her that she must already be terrible addicted to Samuel.  Because to obey any such order from an ordinary policeman would have been difficult to her nature.

Of course, Chawner very soon found it out and was a good bit amused and a thought vexed also, since he counted on a year at least of Cicely’s company, though well knowing such a lovely young woman weren’t going to devote herself to his middle-aged convenience for ever.  He inquired concerning Samuel Borlase, and Inspector Chowne gave it as his opinion that the material was there, but explained that Sam stood all untried as yet and his value still doubtful.