She learned more and more of the working of the farm, and her interest in the young creatures grew daily.

She loved to accompany him on his rides of inspection in the early mornings showing herself so apt a pupil that he presently dubbed her his overseer, and even at last entrusted her occasionally with such errands as only a confidential overseer could execute.
It was when returning from one of these somewhat late one blazing morning that she first encountered their nearest British neighbours from a farm nearly twelve miles distant.

It was a considerable shock to her to find them in possession of the _stoep_ when she rode up, but the sight of the red-faced Englishman who strode out to meet her reassured her in a moment.
"How do you do, Mrs.Ranger?
We've just come over to pay our respects," he announced in a big, hearty voice.

"You'll hardly believe it, but we've only recently heard of Burke's marriage.
It's been a nine days' wonder with us, but now I've seen you I cease to marvel at anything but Burke's amazing luck." There was something so engagingly naive in this compliment that Sylvia found it impossible to be formal.

She smiled and slipped to the ground.
"You are Mr.Merston," she said.