第37章

Asitis，IshallkeepitforMasterFaggus，andaddinterestforkeeping。’

’Ohno，John；ohno，John，’shebeggedmeearnestly，beingsoberedinamoment。’Yourhandissoterriblyheavy，John；andheneverwouldforgiveyou；althoughheissogood-hearted，hecannotputupwithaninsult。

Promiseme，dearJohn，thatyouwillnotstrikehim；

andIwillpromiseyoufaithfullytokeepyoursecret，evenfrommother，andevenfromCousinTomhimself。’

’AndfromLizzie；mostofall，fromLizzie，’Iansweredveryeagerly，knowingtoowellwhichofmyrelationswouldbehardestwithme。

’OfcoursefromlittleLizzie，’saidAnnie，withsomecontempt；’ayoungthinglikehercannotbekepttoolong，inmyopinion，fromtheknowledgeofsuchsubjects。Andbesides，IshouldbeverysorryifLizziehadtherighttoknowyoursecrets，asIhave，dearestJohn。Notasoulshallbethewiserforyourhavingtrustedme，John；althoughIshallbeverywretchedwhenyouarelateawayatnight，amongthosedreadfulpeople。’

’Well，’Ireplied，’itisnousecryingoverspiltmilkAnnie。Youhavemysecret，andIhaveyours；andI

scarcelyknowwhichofthetwoislikelytohavetheworsttimeofit，whenitcomestomother’sears。I

couldputupwithperpetualscoldingbutnotwithmother’ssadsilence。’

’ThatisexactlyhowIfeel，John。’andasAnniesaiditshebrightenedup，andhersofteyesshoneuponme；

’butnowIshallbemuchhappier，dear；becauseIshalltrytohelpyou。Nodoubttheyoungladydeservesit，John。Sheisnotafterthefarm，Ihope？’

’She!’Iexclaimed；andthatwasenough，therewassomuchscorninmyvoiceandface。

’Then，Iamsure，Iamveryglad，’Anniealwaysmadethebestofthings；’forIdobelievethatSallySnowehastakenafancytoourdairy-place，andthepatternofourcream-pans；andsheaskedsomuchaboutourmeadows，andthecolourofthemilk——’

’Then，afterall，youwereright，dearAnnie；itisthegroundshedotesupon。’

’Andthethingsthatwalkuponit，’sheansweredmewithanotherkiss；’Sallyhastakenawonderfulfancytoourbestcow，“Nipple-pins。“Butshenevershallhavehernow；whataconsolation!’

Weenteredthehousequitegentlythus，andfoundFarmerNicholasSnoweasleep，littledreaminghowhisplanshadbeenoversetbetweenus。AndthenAnniesaidtomeveryslyly，betweenasmileandablush，——

’Don’tyouwishLornaDoonewashere，John，intheparlouralongwithmother；insteadofthosetwofashionablemilkmaids，asUncleBenwillcallthem，andpoorstupidMistressKebby？’

’ThatindeedIdo，Annie。Imustkissyouforonlythinkingofit。Dearme，itseemsasifyouhadknownallaboutusforatwelvemonth。’

’Shelovesyou，withallherheart，John。Nodoubtaboutthatofcourse。’AndAnnielookedupatme，asmuchastosayshewouldliketoknowwhocouldhelpit。

’That’stheverythingshewon’tdo，’saidI，knowingthatAnniewouldlovemeallthemoreforit，’sheisonlybeginningtolikeme，Annie；andasforloving，sheissoyoungthatsheonlyloveshergrandfather。

ButIhopeshewillcometoitby-and-by。’

’Ofcourseshemust，’repliedmysister，’itwillbeimpossibleforhertohelpit。’

’Ahwell!Idon’tknow，’forIwantedmoreassuranceofit。’Maidensaresuchwondrousthings!’’

’Notabitofit，’saidAnnie，castingherbrighteyesdownwards：’loveisassimpleasmilking，whenpeopleknowhowtodoit。Butyoumustnotletheralonetoolong；thatismyadvicetoyou。Whatasimpletonyoumusthavebeennottotellmelongago。IwouldhavemadeLornawildaboutyou，longbeforethistime，Johnny。Butnowyougointotheparlour，dear，whileI

doyourcollop。FaithSnoweisnotcome，butPollyandSally。Sallyhasmadeuphermindtoconqueryouthisveryblessedevening，John。Onlylookwhatathingofascarfshehason；Ishouldbequiteashamedtowearit。Butyouwon’tstrikepoorTom，willyou？’

’NotI，mydarling，foryoursweetsake。’

AndsodearAnnie，havinggrownquitebrave，gavemealittlepushintotheparlour，whereIwasquiteabashedtoenterafterallIhadheardab