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Show Page 45 "Rose!" exclaimed Anne and I in one voice. "It would seem the dolts at last discovered what the rest of us knew last night," laughed Cisly, "that each one thinks he is to marry the minx. Perhaps the decision will be settled without the lady's consent, for the two are even now down by the shore preparing to fight it out betwixt them. If I had tuppence to wager, I do believe I'd put my money on Henry Leaven. " When we reached the edge of the crowd surrounding the two men, I decided Cisly's tuppence would have been safe enough. If there was indeed going to be a fight, Henry Leaven would surely be the victor, for he was most enormous tall and strong with a chest like a water cask. He was somewhat like Edward Littlefield, except where Edward reminded me of oxen, Henry brought to mind a raging bull of the pasture with sparks flying from hoof and eye. I marvelled Rose had even turned her glance on Edward Howe, for he was a narrow, stringy man with tufts of pale hair sticking out in all directions as though undecided which way they should lie. And it was plain he did not wish to settle the matter in brawling, for he was holding back, saying that he had no wish to fight, but would be pleased to stand by the lady's decision should Rose desire to make her choice known. At that moment Governor Yeardley came puffing up, his shirt scarce tucked into his breeches and his hair uncombed. |
