'I like the way you say it,' she interrupted. 'Ah! I like it right
well! Breathin' strong, like folk coming up the Monkey's Ladder.'

'Whatever's that?'

'Dunna you know Monkey's Ladder? It's that road there. Somebody's
coming up it now on a horse.'

They both looked down at Reddin climbing slowly and still some way off.
They did not know who it was, nor what destiny was pacing silently
towards them with his advancing figure, nor why he rode up and down
this road and other roads every day; but an inexplicable sense of
urgency came upon Edward. To his own surprise, he said suddenly:

'I came to ask if you'd marry me, Hazel Woodus?'

'Eh?' said she, dazed with surprise.

'Will you marry me, Hazel? I can give you a good home, and I will try
to be a good husband, and--and I love you, Hazel, dear.'

Hazel put her head on one side like a willow-wren singing. She liked to
be called dear.

'D'you like me as much as I like Foxy?'

'Far more.'

'You've bin very quick about it.'