"It's the only way one can breathe on a day like this," said Mrs.
Fielding.
Juliet said nothing. She was watching the village children scatter like rabbits before their lightning rush.
In the schoolhouse garden she caught sight of a heavy, shambling figure, and waved a swift greeting as she flashed past.
"Oh, do you know that revolting youth?" said Mrs. Fielding. "He's half-witted as well as deformed. His brother!" with a nod towards her chauffeur's back. "He's a great trial to Jack, I believe. My husband has offered a hundred times to have him put into a home, but the other brother—Green, the schoolmaster—is absolutely pig-headed on the subject, and won't hear of it."
"Poor Robin!" said Juliet gently. "Yes, I know him. He is certainly not normal, but scarcely half-witted, do you think?"
Mrs. Fielding turned her head to bestow upon her a brief glance of surprise. "I said half-witted," she observed haughtily.
Juliet turned her head also, and gave her companion a straight and level look. "And I did not agree with you," she said quietly.
Mrs. Fielding uttered a laugh that had a girlish ring despite its insolence. "Have you said that to my husband yet?" she asked.
"Not quite that," said Juliet.
"Well, if you ever do, may I be there to hear!" she rejoined flippantly. "He's like a raging bull when he's crossed. I hear he came to see you yesterday."