FRAGRANT FLOWERS AND LEAVES 289 



"Martin explained our dilemma and asked if we 

 might gain the highway without retracing our steps. 

 The woman hesitated a moment, and then said, ' If you 

 come through the gate and turn sharp to the right, 

 you can go out across the apple orchard by taking 

 down a single set of bars, only you'll have to lead your 

 horse, sir, for the trees are set thick and are heavy 

 laden. I'd let you cross the bit of grass to the drive 

 by the back gate yonder but that it would grieve 

 Mrs. Marchant to see the turf so much as pressed 

 with a wheel; she'd feel and know it somehow, even 

 if she didn't see it.' 



"'Mrs. Marchant! Not Mrs. Chester Marchant?' 

 cried Martin, while the far-away echo of something 

 recalled by the name troubled the ears of my memory. 



" ' Yes, sir, the very same ! Did you know Dr. Mar- 

 chant, sir ? The minute I laid eyes on you two I thought 

 you were of her kind!' replied the woman, pointing 

 backward over her shoulder and settling herself 

 against the shaft and side of Brown Tom, the horse, 

 as if expecting and making ready for a comfortable 

 chat. 



"As she stood thus I could take a full look at her 

 without intrusiveness. Apparently well over sixty 

 years old, and her face lines telling of many troubles, 



