"No. Yes," said Mrs Jennet. "That is, not until you've passed Lake Desolate. Then there are one or two sheep-farms and cottages on the 'ills. Very lonely they must be, too. There's very few go to Lake Desolate now--the road's so bad--and so lonely. And what's the good of going there, there's nothing to see but the Lake and the 'ills.... 'Ave some more bread, duckie.... And there's all them wild birds screeching over the Lake. Ugh! Fair gives me the creeps, it does. But there--I forgot you was going there. Fancy, a bit of a girl like you! Well, well! P'r'aps you ain't afraid of being alone though? Eh?"
"I'm fond of my own company when I'm with other people," remarked Mrs Jennet. "You know what I mean--I feel a little bit lost by myself."
Everything in Mrs Jennet's room seemed like herself--plain and plump and loud, but nevertheless good-natured. The chubby-looking horse-hair sofa with the round large-patterned cushions reminded Molly strangely of its owner; and so did the round-backed chairs with their thick arms; even the carpet was just like Mrs Jennet would have looked if she had been a carpet. Molly began to wonder what Mr Jennet was like.
"I've got a photo of 'im--up there on the mantelshelf--I'll show you," said Mrs Jennet in reply to a question from Molly.
But even as Mrs Jennet handed the photo down, Molly felt she knew what he would be like. And she was right. He was exactly like Mrs Jennet would have been if she had been a man.
"He's a dear old lad," said Mrs Jennet, eyeing the photo affectionately. "I wish you could have waited to see 'im--but if you do find the old Black Leaf 'e'll get a 'oliday I expect--every one will. My! Won't there be celebrations! And we'll all come down to the City and see you! 'Ave some more milk, duckie?"
Mrs Jennet chattered gaily on, asking and answering numberless questions. Molly asked her if she could tell her of any one she could trust, who lived in the little cottages or farms beyond Lake Desolate.
"Yes, yes. There's a very nice lady I know lives in one of them--in a little cottage on the side of the Giant's 'Ead--that's the name of the 'ill--it's shaped on top like a huge 'ead. She's got a sweet, pretty cottage--stays there for 'er 'ealth. She's away sometimes staying with 'er sister in the City, but I should think she'd be 'ome this time of year. 'Er name's Lydia North--Miss Lydia we always call 'er. 'Ere, I've got a photo of 'er in my album. I'll show you. She very kindly give me one when she knew I collected photos, bless 'er 'eart!" said Mrs Jennet.