II. Thomasin Walks in a Green Place by the Roman Road

           ClymsawlittleofThomasinforseveraldaysafterthis;andwhentheymetshewasmoresilentthanusual.Atlengthheaskedherwhatshewasthinkingofsointently.

           “Iamthoroughlyperplexed,”shesaidcandidly.“IcannotformylifethinkwhoitisthatDiggoryVennissomuchinlovewith.NoneofthegirlsattheMaypoleweregoodenoughforhim,andyetshemusthavebeenthere.”

           ClymtriedtoimagineVenn’schoiceforamoment;butceasingtobeinterestedinthequestionhewentonagainwithhisgardening.

           Noclearingupofthemysterywasgrantedherforsometime.ButoneafternoonThomasinwasupstairsgettingreadyforawalk,whenshehadoccasiontocometothelandingandcall“Rachel.”Rachelwasagirlaboutthirteen,whocarriedthebabyoutforairings;andshecameupstairsatthecall.

           “Haveyouseenoneofmylastnewglovesaboutthehouse,Rachel?”inquiredThomasin.“Itisthefellowtothisone.”

           Racheldidnotreply.

           “Whydon’tyouanswer?”saidhermistress.

           “Ithinkitislost,ma’am.”

           “Lost?Wholostit?Ihaveneverwornthembutonce.”

           Rachelappearedasonedreadfullytroubled,andatlastbegantocry.“Please,ma’am,onthedayoftheMaypoleIhadnonetowear,andIseedyoursonthetable,andIthoughtIwouldborrow’em.Ididnotmeantohurt’ematall,butoneofthemgotlost.Somebodygavemesomemoneytobuyanotherpairforyou,butIhavenotbeenabletogoanywheretoget’em.”

           “Who’ssomebody?”

           “Mr.Venn.”

           “Didheknowitwasmyglove?”

           “Yes.Itoldhim.