"It's—it's very good of you."
When he returned, the lawyer had fastened his collar and was nervously bullying his tie into place.
"Have you a conveyance?" said Anthony.
"N-no, sir. I sent the fly away. I had thought I would walk back," he added miserably.
Clearly the chance of encountering Winchester was not at all to his taste.
"You'd better come with me," said Lyveden. "It's the quickest way to
Girdle. I live in the cottage close to the London road."
Mr. Plowman felt inclined to put his arms round Anthony's neck….
Three-quarters of an hour later the little attorney stepped, with a sigh of relief, on to the King's highway. Going and pace had tried him pretty hard, and he was simply streaming with sweat. He pushed back his hat and blew out his cheeks comically. Then he set down his bag and started to mop his face.
"By Jove!" he said, panting. "By Jove, I'm glad to be——" His eyes resting upon Anthony, he broke off and fell a-staring. "Why," he cried, "you haven't turned a hair!"
Anthony smiled.