"Yes, sir. There is a shop about half a mile ahead, on the right hand side, where the road forks."
He just touched his hat with the end of his gloved fingers and galloped on. When Edna reached the shop she saw her grandfather examining the horse's shoes, while the stranger walked up and down the road before the forge. He was a very tall, strong man, with a gray shawl thrown over one shoulder, and a black fur hat drawn so far over his face that only the lower portion was visible; and this, swarthy and harsh, left a most disagreeable impression on the child's mind as she passed him and went up to the spot where Mr. Hunt was at work. Putting the bucket behind her, she stooped, kissed him on his furrowed forehead, and said:
"Grandpa, guess what brought me to see you to-day?"
"I forgot my dinner, and you have trudged over here to bring it. Ain't I right, Pearl? Stand back, honey, or this Satan of a horse may kick your brains out. I can hardly manage him."
Here the stranger uttered an oath, and called out, "How much longer do you intend to keep me waiting?"
"No longer, sir, than I can help, as I like the company of polite people."
"Oh, grandpa!" whispered Edna, deprecatingly, as she saw the traveller come rapidly forward and throw his shawl down on the grass. Mr. Hunt pushed back his old battered woolen hat, and looked steadily at the master of the horse—saying gravely and resolutely:
"I'll finish the job as soon as I can, and that is as much as any reasonable man would ask. Now, sir, if that doesn't suit you, you can take your horse and put out, and swear at somebody else, for I won't stand it."
"It is a cursed nuisance to be detained here for such a trifle as one shoe, and you might hurry yourself."
"Your horse is very restless and vicious, and I could shoe two gentle ones while I am trying to quiet him."