Page 150 of The Affairs of Ashmore Castle

‘Of course we’ll come,’ Bobby said, in her warm, impulsive way. ‘You too, Adam! And we’ll bring lots of friends and applaud mightily at the end. And then, if you like, I’ll make an impassioned speech about the dangers of side-saddle riding, and you’ll endorse me, and tell everyone you’ll be riding across with me in the near future.’

Clemmie smiled, and said, ‘You’re so full of energy, I wish we’d had you in the League. With a hundred like you, we could move mountains.’

‘I’ve just had a wonderful idea!’ Bobby exclaimed. ‘We should have a horseback rally – all women, all riding across, and carrying banners demanding votes for women! Two birds with one stone!’

‘Can I come, in disguise?’ Adam asked. ‘In a dress and a wig and a veil over my face.’

‘You shan’t even come to the talk unless you take it seriously,’ Bobby said sternly.

The larger Tabby grew, the more nervous she became. ‘You’ve got to hurry up,’ she told William, when they met in the barn behind the Dog and Gun. ‘If you can’t get a job, you’ll have to marry me anyway. I’m not having this baby unwed, and we’ve not got long.’

‘How long?’ William asked. ‘When’s it coming?’

‘Never mind. We’ve no time to waste, that’s all,’ said Tabby irritably.

‘So – but how long does it take to grow a baby, then?’ William asked.

‘Why you asking that?’ Tabby asked, her eyes narrowing.

He looked embarrassed. ‘My ma would never talk about stuff like that. If ever I asked anything about baby stuff, she’d fetch me such a clout, it made me ears ring. D’you know how long it takes, Tab?’

She hesitated a moment, looking at him thoughtfully. ‘Well, I’ve never had one before,’ she said at last, ‘but according to what my ma says, it’s about six months. Or it might be five.’

‘Same as sheep, then?’ William said seriously. ‘That’s five months.’

‘Yes, that’s right,’ Tabby said, getting into her stride. ‘But my ma says some women don’t take so long to make a baby as others. In my family, women gen’ly do it quicker than average. So this baby might be coming Feb’ry time, or it might even be Jan’ry.’

‘You’re right then,’ William said, securing her hand, which was warm and a little damp. ‘We got to get spliced soon as we can. You nervous, Tabby?’

‘Course I am. Wouldn’t you be?’

‘Don’t be ascairt. I’ll look after you. Didn’t I say I would? I love you, Tab.’

‘Gerroff, you soft ha’porth,’ she said gruffly. But she let him kiss her even so.