bushes.

"Ru-b-y-y-y!"

"Drat the chap!" exclaimed Ruby's father, wheeling round sharply.
"What d'ye wa-a-a-nt?" he yelled back.

"Come to know 'bout that chest o' dra-w-w-ers!"

"Then come 'long round by th' ga-a-ate!"

"Can't sta-a-ay! Want to know, as I'm drivin' to Liskeard, if Ruby
thinks nine-an'-six too mu-u-ch, as the twiddles be so very cle-v-ver!"

"How ridiculous!" muttered the stranger, just loud enough for Ruby to
hear. "Who is this absurd person?"

Jim Lewarne answered--"A low-lived chap, mister, as saved your skin
awhile back."

"Dear, dear--how unpardonable of me! I hadn't, the least idea at this
distance. Excuse me, I must go and thank him at once."

He moved towards the hedge with a brisk step that seemed to cost him
some pain. The others followed, a pace or two behind.

"You'll not mind my interruptin', Farmer," continued Young Zeb,
"but 'tis time Ruby made her mind up, for Mister Pennyway won't take a
stiver less. 'Mornin', Ruby, my dear."