Page:Life's little ironies (1894).pdf/215

and shame in that way at what Tony was saying, and never daring to show, for very pride and dread o’ being laughed at, that she was in hiding. She became more and more restless, and in twisting herself about, what did she see but another woman's foot and white stooking close to her head. It quite frightened her, not knowing that Unity Sailet was in the wagon likewise, But after the fright was over she determined to get to the bottom of all thie, and she crept and crept slong the bed of the wagon, under the cloth, like a, snake, when lo and behold she came face to face with Unity.

“'Well, if this isn’t disgraceful !’ says Milly, in a raging whisper, to Unity,

"'Tis, says Unity, ‘to see you hiding in a young man’s wagon like this, and no great character belonging to either of ye!’

“'Mind what yor are saying! replied Milly, getting louder. ‘I am engaged to be married to him, and haven’t I a right to be here? What right have yon, I should like to know? What has he been promising you? A pretty lot of nonsense, I expect! But what Tony says to other women is all mere wind, and no concern to me

"'Don’t you be too sure! says Unity, ‘He's going to have Hannah, and not you, nor me either; I could hear that.’

“Now, at these strange voices sounding from under the cloth Hannah was thunderstruck a’most into a swound ; and it was just at this time that the horse moved on. Hannah tugged away wildly, not knowing what she was doing; and as the quarrel rose louder and louder Hannah got go horrified that she let go the reins altogether. The horse went on at his own pace, and coming to the corner where we turn round to drop down the hill to Lower Longpuddle