Chapter 3: Four to Five P.m

⁠​​​‌​​​​​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​⁠The cottages along Carriford village street were not so close but that on one side or other of the road was always a hedge of hawthorn or privet, over or through which could be seen gardens or orchards rich with produce. It was about the middle of the early apple-harvest, and the laden trees were shaken at intervals by the gatherers; the soft pattering of the falling crop upon the grassy ground be