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'If he had been dead I could have borne it, but this I cannot bear! Meanwhile Sailor Cornick had gone on his way as far as the forking roads, where he met Festus Derriman on foot. The latter, attracted by the seaman's dress, and by seeing him come from the mill, at once accosted him.
When Loveday first entered the apartment he was unable to see anything, but following the guidance of a vigorous snoring, he came to the settle, upon which Festus lay asleep, his position being faintly signified by the shine of his buttons and other parts of his uniform. John laid his hand upon the reclining figure and shook him, and by degrees Derriman stopped his snore and sat up.
'My nephew, after that maid that he's so mighty smit with? 'O no; he never calls here. Farmer Derriman breathed a breath of relief. 'Well, I've called to tell ye, he said, 'that there's more news of the French. We shall have 'em here this month as sure as a gun. The gunboats be all ready near two thousand of 'em and the whole army is at Boulogne. And, miller, I know ye to be an honest man.
I am sure you have my best wishes in it, and I only hope it will come to a point. 'What's that? said the astonished Anne. 'You and Mr. Festus Derriman, dear. You need not mind me; I have known it for several days.
But what most attracted her eye was a small flagstone turned up in the middle of the floor, a heap of earth beside it, and a measuring-tape. Derriman went to the corner of the cellar, and pulled out a clamped box from under the straw. 'You be rather heavy, my dear, eh? he said, affectionately addressing the box as he lifted it.
'Why not, mother? said Anne, blushing with an indefinite sense of being very wicked. 'Because you must not. I have been going to tell you several times not to go into the street at this time of day. Why not walk in the morning? There's young Mr. Derriman would be glad to 'Don't mention him, mother, don't! 'Well then, dear, walk in the garden.
I'll court the pretty play-actress, and win her before his eyes. 'Play-actress, Maister Derriman? 'Yes. I saw her this very day, met her by accident, and spoke to her. She's still in the town perhaps because of him. I can meet her at any hour of the day But I don't mean to marry her; not I. I will court her for my pastime, and to annoy him.
The military in the background laughed a little, and the yeoman then for the first time discovered that there were more regulars present than one. He looked momentarily disconcerted, but expanded again to full assurance. 'Right, right, Master Derriman, no offence 'twas only my joke, said the genial miller. 'Everybody's a soldier nowadays. Drink a drap o' this cordial, and don't mind words.
'No ceremony, good men all, he said; 'I was passing by, and my ear was caught by the singing. I like singing; 'tis warming and cheering, and shall not be put down. I should like to hear anybody say otherwise. 'Welcome, Master Derriman, said the miller, filling a glass and handing it to the yeoman. 'Come all the way from quarters, then? I hardly knowed ye in your soldier's clothes.
While abstractedly considering how he could best use that privilege under the new circumstances which had arisen, he heard Farmer Derriman drive up to the front door and hold a conversation with his father.
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