Our Admirable Betty by Jeffery Farnol

Mrs. Agatha sat just within the kitchen-garden shelling peas -- and Mrs. Agatha did it as only a really accomplished woman might; at least, so thought Sergeant Zebedee, who, busied about some of his multifarious carpentry jobs, happened to come that way. He thought also that with her pretty face beneath snowy mob-cap, her shapely figure in its neat gown, she made as attractive a picture as any man might see on the longest day's march -- of all which Mrs. Agatha was supremely conscious, of course.

"A hot day, mam! " said he, halting.