Fancy nodded her head. "I don't know as I blame her," she said
judicially. "She's curious to know what you look like, that's all; or
else she's curious for you to know what she looks like. Anyway, she's
down there, if you've a mind to be polite."

Seeing that he hesitated, the child led the way. Captain Cai followed
her in something of a tremor. Across the road they went and through the
garden-gate; and the sound of their footsteps on the flagged pathway
gave Mrs Bosenna warning. By the time they reached the second terrace
she was down on her knees again, packing the soil about the rose-bush,
which Dinah obediently held upright for her.

"Losh, here's visitors!" exclaimed Dinah.

Mrs Bosenna turned with the prettiest start of surprise, and sprang to
her feet. If there was a suspicion--a shade--of overacting, the
twilight concealed it. She had a charming figure, very supple and
maidenly: she bought her corsets in London. The kneeling posture and
the swift rise from it were alike noticeably graceful, even in the dusk.

"Visitors?" she echoed. "And me in this state to receive 'em, earthed
up to the wrists!" She plucked off her gardening-gloves, handed them to
Dinah, and stooped to snatch up one of a pair of white cuffs--badges of
her widowhood--that she had laid aside on the turf before starting to
work. While slipping it over her wrist she found time to glance up at
Captain Cai, who fumbled confusedly with the rim of his tall hat.

"Excuse me, madam--no wish to intrude. We'll take ourselves off this
minute, eh?" He turned to the child, who, however, did not budge.