Chapter IV

therewasnothingremarkableinthephysiognomy—helookedhealthyandgood-tempered.MissLeynoticedeventhathedidnotbitehisnails,andthathishandswerestrongandfirm.TherewasreallynothingtodistinguishhimfromthecommonrunofhealthyyoungEnglishmen,withgoodmoralsandfinephysiquebuttheclassispleasant.MissLey’sonlywonderwasthatBerthahadchosenhimratherthantenthousandothersofthesamevariety,forthatBerthahadchosenhimsomewhatactivelytherewasinMissLey’smindnottheshadowofadoubt. MissLeyturnedtohim. “HasBerthashownyouourchickens?”sheasked,calmly. “No,”hesaid,surprisedatthequestion“Ihopeshewill.” “Oh,nodoubt.YouknowIamquiteignorantofagriculture.Haveyoueverbeenabroad?” “No,Isticktomyowncountry,”hereplied“it’sgoodenoughforme.” “Idaresayitis,”saidMissLey,lookingtotheground.“Berthamustcertainlyshowyouourchickens.Theyinterestmebecausethey’reverylikehumanbeings—they’resostupid.” “Ican’tgetminetolayatallatthistimeofyear,”saidCraddock. “OfcourseI’mnotanagriculturist,”repeatedMissLey,“butchickensamuseme.” Dr.Ramsaybegantosmile,andBerthaflushedangrily. “Youhavenevershownanyinterestinthechickensbefore,AuntPolly.” “Haven’tI,mydear?Don’tyourememberlastnightIremarkedhowtoughwasthatonewehadfordinner?...HowlonghaveyouknownBertha,Mr.Craddock?” “Itseemsallmylife,”hereplied.“AndIwanttoknowhermore.” ThistimeBerthasmiled,andMissLey,thoughshefeltcertainthereparteewasunintentional,wasnotdispleasedwithit. AllthistimeDr.Ramsaywasnotsayingaword,andhisbehaviourarousedBertha’sanger. “Ihaveneverseenyousitforfiveminutesinsilencebefore,Dr.Ramsay,”shesaid. “IthinkwhatIhavetosaywouldscarcelypleaseyou,MissBertha.” MissLeywasanxiousthatnoaltercationshoulddisturbthepolitediscomfortofthemeeting. “You’rethinkingaboutthoserentsagain,doctor,”shesaid,andturningtoCraddock:“Thepoordoctorisunhappybecausehalfofourtenantssaytheycannotpay.” Thepoordoctorgruntedandsniffed,andMissLeythoughtitwashightimefortheyoungmantotakehisleave.ShelookedatBertha,whoquicklyunderstood,andgettingup,said— “Letusleavethemalone,Eddie