and rose-bushes grew wherever there was a space; it seemed a chance which had been planted.  Long rows of peas stretched at right angles from the main walk, and I saw Phillis stooping down among them, before she saw us.  As soon as she heard our cranching steps on the gravel, she stood up, and shading her eyes from the sun, recognized us.  She was quite still for a moment, and then came slowly towards us, blushing a little from evident shyness.  I had never seen Phillis shy before.

‘This is Mr Holdsworth, Phillis,’ said I, as soon as I had shaken hands with her.  She glanced up at him, and then looked down, more flushed than ever at his grand formality of taking his hat off and bowing; such manners had never been seen at Hope Farm before.

’Father and mother are out.  They will be so sorry; you did not write, Paul, as you said you would.’

‘It was my fault,’ said Holdsworth, understanding what she meant as well as if she had put it more fully into words.  ’I have not yet given up all the 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.