Where he was fair, she was pale and dark; his eyes were blue, hers black; he was lusty and showed promise of broadness, she was slender.
"And what news do you bring with you now ?" she said presently.
He evaded this.
"Mistress Manners ?" he asked.
"Mother has a megrim," she said; "she is in her chamber." And she smiled at him again.

For these two, as is the custom of young persons who love one another, had said not a word on either side--neither he to his father nor she to her parents.

They believed, as young persons do, that parents who bring children into the world, hold it as a chief danger that these children should follow their example, and themselves be married.

Besides, there is something delicious in secrecy.
"Then I will kiss you again," he said, "while there is opportunity." * * * * * Making love is a very good way to pass the time, above all when that same time presses and other disconcerting things should be spoken of instead; and this device Robin now learned.

He spoke of a hundred things that were of no importance: of the dress that she wore--russet, as it should be, for country girls, with the loose sleeves folded back above her elbows that she might handle the linen; her apron of coarse linen, her steel-buckled shoes.