What are those foolish bundles in the
back of that silly cart?"
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--"Feed for the pony, please, sir; fish for dinner;
randans and barley meal for the poultry; and four unsold rabbits.
Wouldn't you like them? Only one and sixpence apiece. Shot at three
o'clock this morning."
_True Love_.--"Thanks; I don't like mine shot so early."
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--"Oh, well! doubtless I shall be able to dispose of
them on my way home, though times is 'ard!"
_True Love_.--"Do you mean that you will "peddle" them along the road?"
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--"You understand me better than usual,--in fact to
perfection."
He dismounts and strides to the back of the cart, lifts the covers,
seizes the rabbits, flings some silver contemptuously into the basket,
and looks about him for a place to bury his bargain. A small boy
approaching in the far distance will probably bag the game.
_Bailiff's Daughter_ (modestly).--"Thanks for your trade, sir, rather
ungraciously bestowed, and we 'opes for a continuance of your past
fyvors."
_True Love_ (leaning on the wheel of the trap).--"Let us stop this
nonsense. What did you hope to gain by running away?"
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--"Distance and absence."
_True Love_.--"You knew you couldn't prevent my offering myself to you
sometime or other."
_Bailiff's Daughter_.--"Perhaps not; but I could at least defer it,
couldn't I?"
_True Love_.--"Why postpone the inevitable?"
_Bailiff's Daughter_.
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