She had been at the house of old Widow Tubb, half-way between Cumberly Green and the little village of Clavering, striving to make that rheumatic old woman believe that she had not been cheated by a general conspiracy of the parish in the matter of a distribution of coal, when, just as she was about to leave the cottage, Mr.Saul came up.

It was then past four, and the evening was becoming dark, and there was, moreover, a slight drizzle of rain.

It was not a tempting evening for a walk of a mile and a half through a very dirty lane; but Fanny Clavering did not care much for such things, and was just stepping out into the mud and moisture, with her dress well looped up, when Mr.Saul accosted her.
"I'm afraid you'll be very wet, Miss Clavering." "That will be better than going without my cup of tea, Mr.Saul, which I should have to do if I stayed any longer with Mrs.Tubb.And I have got an umbrella." "But it is so dark and dirty," said he.
"I'm used to that, as you ought to know." "Yes; I do know it," said he, walking on with her.

"I do know that nothing ever turns you away from the good work." There was something in the tone of his voice which Fanny did not like.
He had never complimented her before.

They had been very intimate, and had often scolded each other.