Gregory Friend, with his daughter, met Daniel beside a green barrow. He shook hands and remarked on the splendour of the hour. The peat-man had put off his enthusiasm with his working clothes. He wore black and appeared somewhat bored and listless, for the week-days only found him worshipping.
"He hates Sabbaths," explained Sarah. "To keep off his business be a great trouble to him; but he says as we must mark the day outwardly as well as inwardly. So he dons his black, an' twiddles his thumbs, an' looks up the valley to the works, but holds away from 'em."
She wore a crude blue dress that chimed with nothing in nature and fitted ill. Brendon, however, admired it exceedingly.
"'Tis very nice 'pon top of Wattern Oke, if you care to come so far," he said.
They returned to the place where Daniel had sat.
"I'll spread my coat for 'e, so as you shan't soil thicky lovely gown," he suggested to Sarah Jane.
"No call to do that, thank you. I'll sit 'pon this stone. I'm glad you like the dress. I put it on for you to see. My word, 'tis summer come back again to-day!"
The labourer was fluttered, but could think of nothing to say. Both men smoked their pipes, and Friend began to thrust his stick into the earth. They spoke of general subjects, then Daniel remembered a remark that the other had made upon their first meeting. He had no desire to hear more concerning peat; but his heart told him that the theme must at least give one of the party pleasure, and therefore he led to it. Moreover, he felt a strong desire to please Gregory, yet scarcely knew his reason.
"You was going to give me a little of your large knowledge 'bout Amicombe Hill, master," he said, after an interval of silence.
Mr. Friend's somewhat lethargic attitude instantly changed. He sat up briskly and his eyes brightened.