Anyway, I'll walk a part of the way with you, and carry the basket for a spell.

Not but what you look brave and hearty again, in good faith." Paul was ready enough for company, and Will soon got talking of his own private affairs, and presently it all came out--how he had loved Joan ever since they had been children together; how he had worked hard these past three years to save money to furbish up a little home for her; and how he was now building a snug little cottage under shelter of his father's larger one, so that he might have a little place for her all her own, seeing that she had been used to the space and comfort of the farm.

To all this Paul listened with good-humoured interest, only wondering why Will's face kept so lugubrious, as if he were speaking of something which he had hoped for, but which could never be.
"You will have to look a little brighter when you come a-wooing," he said at length, "or Mistress Joan will be frightened to look at you.

And why have you kept away so much these last days?
She has been quite offended by it, I can tell you.

It's always being said that you are sure to come today; and when the day goes by and you come not, she pouts and looks vexed, and casts about for all manner of reasons to account for it.