The truth was, that in common with every other old woman, she had secretly aspired to being visited some day by the amazing young lady from "Meriker." Betty had yet to learn of the heartburnings which may be occasioned by an unconscious favouritism.

She was not aware that when she dropped in to talk to old Doby, his neighbour, old Megworth, peered from behind his curtains, with the dew of envy in his rheumy eyes.
"S'ems," he mumbled, "as if they wasn't nobody now in Stornham village but Gaarge Doby--s'ems not." They were very fierce in their jealousy of attention, and one must beware of rousing evil passions in the octogenarian breast.
The young lady from "Meriker" had not so far had time to make a call at any cottage in old Mrs.Welden's lane--and she had knocked just at old Mrs.Welden's door.

This was enough to put in good spirits even a less cheery old person.
At first Betty wondered how she could with delicacy ask personal questions.

A few minutes' conversation, however, showed her that the personal affairs of Sir Nigel's tenants were also the affairs of not only himself, but of such of his relatives as attended to their natural duty.

Her presence in the cottage, and her interest in Mrs.Welden's ready flow of simple talk, were desirable and proper compliments to the old woman herself.