Page 189 - lady-chatterlys-lover

go to Marehay, through the little iron gate in the other side
of the park fence. It was a quiet grey day of spring, almost
warm. She walked on unheeding, absorbed in thoughts she
was not even conscious of She was not really aware of any-
thing outside her, till she was startled by the loud barking
of the dog at Marehay Farm. Marehay Farm! Its pastures
ran up to Wragby park fence, so they were neighbours, but
it was some time since Connie had called.
’Bell!’ she said to the big white bull-terrier. ‘Bell! have you
forgotten me? Don’t you know me?’ She was afraid of dogs,
and Bell stood back and bellowed, and she wanted to pass
through the farmyard on to the warren path.
Mrs Flint appeared. She was a woman of Constance’s
own age, had been a school-teacher, but Connie suspected
her of being rather a false little thing.
’Why, it’s Lady Chatterley! Why!’ And Mrs Flint’s eyes
glowed again, and she flushed like a young girl. ‘Bell, Bell.
Why! barking at Lady Chatterley! Bell! Be quiet!’ She darted
forward and slashed at the dog with a white cloth she held
in her hand, then came forward to Connie.
’She used to know me,’ said Connie, shaking hands. The
Flints were Chatterley tenants.
’Of course she knows your Ladyship! She’s just showing
off,’ said Mrs Flint, glowing and looking up with a sort of
flushed confusion, ‘but it’s so long since she’s seen you. I do
hope you are better.’
’Yes thanks, I’m all right.’
’We’ve hardly seen you all winter. Will you come in and
look at the baby?’

1 Lady Chatterly’s Lover