"You, Robert Eccles!" said Sedgett hoarsely; "I've come for my wife—do you hear?"
"You have, I dare say," returned Robert. "You dodged me cleverly, that you did. I'd like to know how it was done. I see you've got a cart outside and a boy at the horse's head. The horse steps well, does he? I'm about three hours behind him, I reckon:—not too late, though!"
He let fall a great breath of weariness.
Rhoda went to the cupboard and drew forth a rarely touched bottle of spirits, with which she filled a small glass, and handing the glass to him, said, "Drink." He smiled kindly and drank it off.
"The man's in your house, Mr. Fleming," he said.
"And he's my guest, and my daughter's husband, remember that," said the farmer.
"And mean to wait not half a minute longer till I've taken her off—mark that," Sedgett struck in. "Now, Mr. Fleming, you see you keep good your word to me."
"I'll do no less," said the farmer. He went into the passage shouting for Mrs. Sumfit to bring down the box.
"She begs," Mrs. Sumfit answered to him—"She begs, William, on'y a short five minutes to pray by herself, which you will grant unto her, dear, you will. Lord! what's come upon us?"
"Quick, and down with the box, then, mother," he rejoined.