to hounds together, and though Richard Bewes counted himself a good many
sizes bigger and more important than the returned native, he was affable
and friendly and rather pleased Jack by his opinions and his good
sportsmanship.

But Cobley knew very well there's a sort of men very sporting in the open
among their neighbours and very much the reverse when they are out of
sight; and he also knew there's a sort very frank and honest to their
fellow men, but very much the reverse to their fellow women. So he just
took stock and had speech with Richard off and on and heard the gossip and
figured up Dick pretty well.

"I see the manner of man he is," he told Mrs. Cobley, "and I judge that if
he had a strong and sensible partner--a woman with her head screwed on the
right way--she could handle him all right and keep him decent and
straight. But she must be a woman of character who will win his respect
and keep his affection--a woman who'll love him very well and serve him
faithfully, but stand no messing about, nor any sort of nonsense. So the
question rises, be Milly Boon that sort of woman?"

His mother didn't know.

"She's a lovely creature," said Mary, "and a good woman and faithful to
her aunt, and that's all I know about her."

"Then, for your sake, I'll look deeper into it," Jack promised, and done
so according.

He went in for a dish of tea once and again, much to Mrs. Pedlar's
astonishment, for 'twas a novelty to have a male come in her house; but