" I was waiting for you," said Tom. " I saw you kiss
old Mother Quint ! Now, don't look scared. There
were two fields between us. See here, you don't mean
to say that you stick to that brute of an Isaac ? "

" No. How dare you speak to me like that ? Let
me pass ! "

" Don't be silly, Christine. There's as good fish in the
sea as ever drank too much of it. You know as well as
I that my father '11 be only too glad to have me settle
down at the farm. Give a fellow a chance ! "

" Let me pass ! " she repeated, furiously, " you

poacher, you ! "

He dropped aside with an oath : " Yes, I'm a poacher,"
he said. " Let your keeper look out ! " He slunk away,

167



THE MOTHER

leaving her in a tremble of diversified feelings. One
thing, however, she clejirly understood — she could never
marry the man she loved.
