"Good morning, Mrs. Vidoux," he said; then perceiving her useless efforts, he took the spade from her bony hands, and dug up a few of the esculent roots.
"Thank you very much," said the old woman, leaning heavily on her walking-stick.
"I wonder, why she, who possesses such magic powers, does not make those parsnips fly out of the ground without even touching them," thought Tom.
Then a conversation followed between them.
"It's fine weather," said Tom, feeling embarrassed about the introduction of his subject.
"You have a great deal of trouble to work as you do, cultivating your own vegetables?"
"I am happy to see that you don't forget, you are the only sensible man in this parish."
"That's praising me rather too much, I'm sure I don't deserve it, but what I think I deserve less is the nasty fix in which I now am."
"Miss Rougeant, let me see--oh--yes, I knew her once, but I am afraid I should not recognise her now, she must be a fine lady by this time."
"I should think so; I don't doubt you at all, Mr. Soher."
"There is a young man who is paying his attentions to her."
"That does not suit me. I intended to marry her."
"I don't know, only it seemed improbable."
"Of course, you shall have to try and supplant him."
"That's impossible, she's too fond of him."
"Well, I suppose you must give her up then."
"Can't you guess? Thrust him out of my way forcibly. Either he or I must sink."
"You look strong enough to fight a giant."
"Are you afraid of him? Is he stronger than you?"
"He looks rather too much of an athlete for me; I thought that perhaps you would help me."
Tom looked anxiously round, then said in a low tone: "I must get rid of him, I must."
Mrs. Vidoux suddenly became erect, her eyes were fixed on Tom with an expression that made him recoil, but before he had time to get out of her way, she had raised her walking-stick high above her head with both her hands and brought it to bear with all her strength on Tom's head.
The blow was by no means a slight one. Tom staggered and fell. Without even pretending to notice him the old woman walked towards her dwelling. He soon rallied, and in less time than it had probably ever been done before, he cleared the fence and vaulted in the road. He went home, swearing that he would avenge himself, not of Mrs. Vidoux, but of his cousin.