But that was all the town did know about the matter. For strange to
say Agnes, who had talked loud enough and long enough before about her
unhappiness, now was still, with never a word to say about what made
her so contented and happy. Green Valley saw her look at Hen as if he
were suddenly precious and smooth his pillow and wait on him. And
Green Valley wanted to know all about it. But so far nobody knew but
Agnes, Hen and the new minister and he didn't seem inclined to speak
about it. Not even to satisfy Nanny Ainslee's curiosity.

Once more Nanny was embarrassed and a little angry. She swung up her
sunshade and started to go. This minister man with his ignorance of
women and his knowledge of Hen's domestic affairs was, she told
herself, a crazy, impossible creature and he could sit in his little
grove on his little knoll till he died for all she cared. She'd take
mighty good care never again to stray into his domain.

But just as she really got up speed the big chap under the oak stood up
and spoke.

"Don't go, Nan."

The shock of hearing him say that stopped her and turned her sharply
around, so that she looked straight at him and found him looking at her
in a way that made the whole green world suddenly fade away into misty
insignificance. Something about that look of his made her walk back.

But she trailed her sunshade a little defiantly and kept her eyes down
carefully. She was a little frightened too. Because for the first
time in her life she was conscious of her heart. She felt it beating