"I am the man, and never older than to-night."
He stopped and rubbed his leg. The girl stood over him by half a foot. She was tall and straight, but in the murk one could see no more than her outlines, her pale sun-bonnet and a pale face under it.
"Have you got the money?" said the man.
"Yes--ten shillings."
She spoke slowly, with a voice uncommon deep for a young woman.
"Not twelve?"
"No."
The ancient made a sound that indicated disappointment and annoyance.
"And the price of the halter?"
"We don't want that. One of my brothers will bring it back to you next time they be down-along."