"Talk also of plans of capture, of banding themselves together, of hangings from the tallest tree.
And they have their suspicions of the river."
"I knew it was only a matter of time, my lady."
"Do you think your master is aware of the danger?"
"I rather think so, my lady."
"And yet he continues to anchor in the creek."
"Yes, my lady."
"He has been here nearly a month.
Does he always stay as long as this?"
"No, my lady."
"What is his usual visit?"
"Five or six days, my lady."
"The time has gone very quickly.
Possibly he does not realise he has been here so long."
"Possibly not."
"I am becoming quite knowledgeable about birds, William."
"So I have noticed, my lady."
"I am beginning to recognise the many differences in song, and the variations in flight, William."
"Indeed, my lady."
"Also I am quite an expert with rod and line."
"That I have also observed, my lady."
"Your master is an excellent instructor."
"So it would appear, my lady."
"It is rather strange, is it not, William, that before I came to Navron I thought very little about birds, and even less of fishing?"
"It is rather strange, my lady."
"I suppose that - that the desire to know about these things was always present, but lying dormant, if you understand what I mean."
"I understand your meaning perfectly, my lady."
"It is difficult for a woman to acquire knowledge of birds and of fishing alone, don't you think?"
"Almost impossible, my lady."
"An instructor is really necessary."
"Quite imperative, my lady."
"But of course the instructor must be sympathetic."
"That is important, my lady."
"And fond of - imparting his knowledge to his pupil."
"That goes without saying, my lady."
"And possibly, through the pupil, the instructor's own knowledge becomes more perfect.
He gains something he did not have before.
In a sense, they learn from one another."
"You have put the matter in a nutshell, my lady."
Dear William, he was most companionable.
He always understood.
It was like having a confessor who never reproved or condemned.
"What story did you tell at Navron, William?"
"I said that you were staying to dine at his lordship's, and would be late, my lady."
"And where will you stable the horses?"
"That is all arranged for. I have friends at Gweek, my lady."
"To whom you have also spun a story?"
"Yes, my lady."
"And where shall I change my gown?"
"I thought your ladyship would not be averse to changing behind a tree."