THE MAN WHO GREW VEGETABLE MARROWS
where you can talk with a young woman unseen by the whole of the village. It adjoins the Park of Fernly.
"Well," I said, "go on."
"As I say, I was just coming back through the wood when I heard voices."
Caroline paused.
"Yes?"
"One was Ralph Paton's—I knew it at once. The other was a girl's. Of course I didn't mean to listen———"
"Of course not," I interjected, with patent sarcasm—which was, however, wasted on Caroline.
"But I simply couldn't help overhearing. The girl said something—I didn't quite catch what it was, and Ralph answered. He sounded very angry. 'My dear girl' he said. 'Don't you realize that it is quite on the cards the old man will cut me off with a shilling? He's been pretty fed up with me for the last few years. A little more would do it. And we need the dibs, my dear. I shall be a very rich man when the old fellow pops off. He's mean as they make 'em, but he's rolling in money really. I don't want him to go altering his will. You leave it to me, and don't worry.' Those were his exact words. I remember them perfectly. Unfortunately, just then I stepped on a dry twig or something, and they lowered their voices and moved away. I couldn't, of course, go rushing after them, so wasn't able to see who the girl was."
"That must have been most vexing," I said. "I suppose, though, you hurried on to the Three Boars, felt
[27]
