As soon as her steps faded, Colin briskly walked over to Dickon and punched him in the face.

Dickon stood calmly, allowing it to happen. The impact was hard, intending to leave a bruise. When Dickon touched his hand to his left cheek, he knew it would

"That one's free. But I warn ya, master Colin, not to try tha' again." He spoke in his normal accent, staring into Colin's fuming face.

"What I don't understand is... why? What do you have? What can you do? How will you ever support her... Your common! I, I could be able to provide her with EVERYTHING. She'll never need, or want, for anything. When she has children, I can make sure they will have a future. What will YOU do? How can YOU be all she needs?" Colin was out of breath from yelling. Dickon looked on at his struggling form, his eyes unreadable.

"I love her, Colin. And she loves me. That's all that maters." He said seriously, and it was one of the rare moments when he didn't speak with a smile.

"No!" He said darkly. "She needs food, water, a roof over her head. She needs someone who can look after her, doctors when she's sick. She needs to be free to explore the world. And this is Mary. She deserves the best of everything."

"She does deserve the best." Dickon agreed. "I can take care of her." He said in a voicethat seemed to leave no argument.

"You say that now." Colin Spat. "But what happens when you think you've found someone better? You don't love her anymore. And she'll be left, with no money, no home, I can provide security. And I can love her support for her, be there for her, even when she is dying, and even after I am dead."

"Colin, you don't love Mary." Colin was about to retort, but Dickon spoke again, his voice was firm, but kept a level tone. It wasn't angry, but more like trying to explain something, or reaffirming something. "You want her... you'll treat her as a possession. You don't love her, not in that way. Colin, Mary is not your to control, it's her choice."

And then, Colin lost control. "No, She IS mine to control. I will have her. She shouldn't even be slumming around with a person of your station. And if you don't leave her alone, I'll see to it you won't set foot within a mile of Mistethwait, or the garden!" He yelled furiously.

Suddenly, a tiny gasp was heard. Their heads snapped in unison to see the retreating form of Mary.

Dickon gave one last look to Colin, scolding, yet pitying. Then he ran off to follow Mary.

He found Mary crying at the swing. He slowed down on sight of her. He slowly walked to her hunched body. He came and stood infront of her. Without words, without looking up at him, she fell into his arms, her huddled shape protected by his strong arms. "Shhh... shhh ms. Mary." Dickon whispered consolingly into her hear.

"Your not common." Mary said in a breaking whisper. Dickon was surprisingly touched by these words, but he continued to comfort his Mary. As her sobs began to slow, he kissed the top of her dark golden hair.

"C-can I come home with you tonight?" She sniffled as she withdrew to look him in the face.

"Why, of course Miss. Mary." He knew this was what she wanted. He didn't ask questions."I'll give you some of my supper as well."

"No, that's allright. I don't need to be fed. I'm not that hungry. Besides, they hardly rememebered to feed me in India. I'm sure I'll do for one night." Dickon's brow furrowed at the comment. Aside from the fact that he didn't like the thought of Mary going without food, he was also a bit worried that she still harbored bitterness from the past, specifically, her past in India.

But he nodded, none the less. He'd get food into her somehow. He guided her through the gargen knowing Colin wouldn't be there. He'd run off., ashamed and afraid. But Dickon's job right now was to make Mary forget her distress, which meant he couldn't think about Colin either. This was easy enough in her prescence however, and as he led Mary through the Garden, his eyes flew to the sky, wondering why the world was so wonderful, that it could hold someone so beautifullike Mary in it.