"But what's this to you, Bartley? Nought, I'm sure."
He had remarked that she addressed David by his Christian name, but with the affix of ceremony.
"Anything that interests you interests me, Madge," he answered. "But I'll leave you here and go back-along through the woods."
"Better come on, now you're so near, and have tea with us."
"What does David say?"
"Ban't my business," answered Mr. Bowden.
The men looked at each other straight in the eyes and grasped the situation. Then Bartley shook hands with Margaret and left them.
Bowden made no comment on Mr. Crocker. Indeed he did not speak at all until they had almost reached the homestead of Coombeshead. Then, suddenly, without preliminaries, he dragged a little square-nosed spaniel puppy out of his pocket, where it had been lying fast asleep.
"'Tis weaned and ready to begin learning," he said. "Your brother Bart will soon teach it how to behave. But mind you let him. Don't you try to bring it up. You'll only spoil it. No woman I ever knowed, except Rhoda, could train a dog."
The little thing licked Madge's face while she kissed its nose.