"And the laziest!" answered another unknown.
There was a laugh and Ned turned ruddy.
"Thou'lt never take trouble enough to learn thy part, Ned!" cried Heathman Lintern.
"Play Turkish knight, my son," said his father. "Then thou can'st be knocked on the head and die comfortable without more trouble."
Others followed Ned, and Mr. Masterman called for Mark.
"You'll not desert us, Mark? I shall want your help, I know."
"And glad to give it," answered the young man. He grew very hot and nervous to find himself named. His voice broke, he coughed and cut a poor figure. Somebody patted him on the back.
"Don't be frighted, Mark," said Vivian Baskerville; "his reverence only wants for you to do what you can. He wouldn't ask impossibilities."
Mrs. Baskerville compared her handsome son to stammering Mark and felt satisfied. Cora Lintern also contrasted the young men, and in her bosom was anything but satisfaction.
"You needn't act, but you must help in many ways. You're so well up in the old lore—all about our legends and customs," explained the clergyman. "We count on you. And now we want some of the older men among you, and when we've settled them we must come to the ladies. We're getting on splendidly. Now—come—you set a good example, Thomas."