The Water lily Pond

¡¡¡¡`There - you've owned it!' ¡¡¡¡`So have you - so have we all,' said Marian, with the dry frankness of complete indifference to opinion. `It is silly to pretend otherwise amongst ourselves, though we need not own it to other folks. I would just marry 'n to-morrow!' ¡¡¡¡`So would I - and more,' murmured Izz Huett. ¡¡¡¡`And I too,' whispered the more timid Retty. ¡¡¡¡The listener grew warm. ¡¡¡¡`We can't all marry him,' said Izz. ¡¡¡¡`We shan't, either of us; which is worse still,' said the eldest. `There he is again!' ¡¡¡¡They all three blew him a silent kiss. ¡¡¡¡`Why?' asked Retty quickly. ¡¡¡¡`Because he likes Tess Durbeyfield best,' said Marian, lowering her voice. `I have watched him every day, and have found it out.' ¡¡¡¡There was a reflective silence. ¡¡¡¡`But she don't care anything for 'n?' at length breathed Retty. ¡¡¡¡`Well - I sometimes think that too.'