I'll think it over.' The villagers admired their grace and skill, as the dancers themselves perceived; but they did not know what accompanied that admiration in one spot, at least.
'People who wonder they can foot it so featly together should know what some others think,' a waterman was saying to his neighbour.

'Then their wonder would be less.' His comrade asked for information.
'Well--really I hardly believe it--but 'tis said they be man and wife.
Yes, sure--went to church and did the job a'most afore 'twas light one morning.

But mind, not a word of this; for 'twould be the loss of a winter's work to me if I had spread such a report and it were not true.' When the dance had ended she rejoined her own section of the company.

Her father and Mr.Bellston the elder had now come out from the house, and were smoking in the background.

Presently she found that her father was at her elbow.
'Christine, don't dance too often with young Long--as a mere matter of prudence, I mean, as volk might think it odd, he being one of our own neighbouring farmers.