ItwasaboutthethirdweekinMaythatMrs。Mullet，relictofthelateSylvesterMullet，andmotherofTobyandabunchofdaughters，assailedClovisSangrailontheoutskirtsofthevillagewithabreathlesscatalogueoflocalhappenings。
\"Youknowournewneighbour，Mr。Penricarde？\"shevociferated；\"awfullyrich，ownstinminesinCornwall，middle-agedandratherquiet。He\'stakentheRedHouseonalongleaseandspentalotofmoneyonalterationsandimprovements。Well，Toby\'ssoldhimtheBrogue！\"
Clovisspentamomentortwoinassimilatingtheastonishingnews；thenhebrokeoutintounstintedcongratulation。IfhehadbelongedtoamoreemotionalracehewouldprobablyhavekissedMrs。Mullet。
\"Howwonderfullyluckytohavepulleditoffatlast！Nowyoucanbuyadecentanimal。I\'vealwayssaidthatTobywasclever。Eversomanycongratulations。\"
\"Don\'tcongratulateme。It\'sthemostunfortunatethingthatcouldhavehappened！\"saidMrs。Mulletdramatically。