Near the manor-house farmer's house the gamekeeper came up with the party on his return from Horb. On seeing Tony he blushed up to the eyes, and lifted his gun off his shoulder a little, sinking it again immediately, and, turning toward Tony, he said, "Good-evening, girls."
A few returned the salutation, and he said, in a low voice, to Tony, "May I walk with you now?"
"No, no! that will never do," said Tony, no louder than he had spoken: "go and walk with the boys, just to oblige me."
The gamekeeper was delighted, and, with a polite bow, he walked on.
At the Eagle there was, a general halt. The curfew sounded, and the boys, with their heads uncovered, mumbled a paternoster: the girls did the same; and then all crossed themselves.
But as soon as this was done the jokes and laughter were resumed. The gamekeeper said, "Good-night, all," and went on his way. The girls teased Tony about him, and said he had whispered to her. Sepper, who heard this, suddenly grew stark and stiff: the pipe which he was lifting to his mouth remained in the convulsive grasp of his one hand, while his other fist clenched, and his eyes, which stared upon Tony, shot forth fierce and angry thoughts. Then again he swung proudly on his knees, and only once cast his head backward in something of disdain.
When all separated, Sepper went with Tony to her father's house. He was silent a while, and then said,--
"What are you carrying on with the gamekeeper?"
"Nothing."
"What were you saying to him?"