Letty, therefore, had no feeling toward Sepia but one of
admiration for her grace and beauty, which she could appreciate
the more that they were so different from her own.
"Thank you," said Sepia, holding fast by Godfrey's hand, and
coming up with a little pant. "What a lovely day it is for your
haymaking! How can you afford the time to play knight-errant to a
distressed damsel?"
"The hay is nearly independent of my presence," replied Godfrey.
"Sun and wind have done their parts too well for my being of much
use."
"Take me with you to see how they are getting on. I am as fond of
hay as Bottom in his translation."
She had learned Godfrey's love of literature, and knew that one
quotation may stand for much knowledge.
"I will, with pleasure," said Godfrey, perhaps a little consoled
in the midst of his disappointment; and they walked away, neither
taking notice of Letty.
"I did not know," she said to herself, "that the two houses had
come together at last! What a handsome couple they make!"
What passed between them is scarcely worthy of record. It is
enough to say that Sepia found her companion distrait, and he
felt her a little invasive. In a short while they came back
together, and Sepia saw Letty under the great bough of the
Durnmelling oak. Godfrey handed her down the rent, careful
himself not to invade Durnmelling with a single foot.
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