Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/275

Rh and more indulgent to my neighbours, and I can afford to laugh at both Lawrence and you.

Partly from accident, partly from wilful negligence on my part (for I was really beginning to dislike him,) several weeks elapsed before I saw my friend again. When we did meet, it was he that sought me out. One bright morning early in June, he came into the field where I was just commencing my hay harvest.

"It is long since I saw you, Markham," said he after the first few words had passed between us. "Do you never mean to come to Woodford again?"

"I called once, and you were out."

"I was sorry: but that was long since; I hoped you would call again; and now, I have called, and you were out—which you generally are, or I would do myself the pleasure of calling more frequently—but being determined to see you this time, I have left my pony in the lane, and come over hedge and ditch to join you; for I am about to leave Woodford for a