The Beethoven Medal [antikvár]

1 '( Chapter i 'Tell me/ said Ted, standing at the kitchen window and craning towards the front drive, 'am I seeing things, or is Ruth actually mowing the lawn ?' 'Oh, hark who's talking!9 replied his mother sarcastically. 'When did you ever mow it without being asked, might I ask, when you were resident here ?9 'Well, I didn't. But then nor does Ruth, as far as I know.9 'She does since the baker got a new delivery boy.9 'Ho, like that, is it?9 'She mows it regularly at about one o9clock every afternoon, when the bread's due.9 'It must be getting pretty bare by now.9 'Yes, it is.9 'Does he stop and tell her how lovely it looks ?9 'As far as I know he doesn9t even notice she9s there. It9s unrequited, this passion of hers.9 'What9s set her off then? Is he gorgeously handsome? I must have a squint at him. There's a van up the lane now.9 i