It is rather a good garden, as you see; but when David first came to the White Cottage it was a perfect wilderness.

A lone widder woman cannot be expected to attend to house and garden too," he continued in a lackadaisical voice.

"Hallo, Davy, what cheer, my lad?
Are the fates propitious ?" "Not exactly," in a depressed tone.

"I am afraid it is washing-day, and that Mrs.Pratt will keep us waiting.

I filled the kettle for her myself, but it has got to boil; but if you don't mind waiting--" in a still more embarrassed manner.
"What's the matter, good friends ?" observed a cheery voice.