"And you lent them your horse. That was very good of you."
"Oh, no! It was only casting bread upon the waters. I shall want a good turn of him some time, likely enough."
"I never supposed," Flossy returned critically, "that bread cast upon the waters could be worth much when it came back after many days. It most likely would be mouldy, and so water-soaked it wouldn't be fit to eat."
"I don't like to joke about Scripture," he said gravely, flushing at his own boldness. "Of course," he added, "I don't think you meant any harm."
"Of course not. It is a trick I have caught from father: it is part of my inheritance, like dyspepsia and a liver. Though why," she added, "it should be called a liver, I can't see. I think dier would be more appropriate."
At that moment Wilk's Run came in sight.
"Dear me!" Flossy exclaimed. "I entirely forgot them, but this man put them all out of my head."
Her companion answered only by a puzzled stare.
"This one that disappeared, you know," she explained lucidly. "And they went to find a popgun, or something, and the service was so very long, you know."
Burleigh, vainly endeavoring to catch some clew to her meaning, said nothing. In another moment they reached the bridge. No person was to be seen.