They stopped at an outlying cottage on their way home. It was a long, low, thatched building, close by a wood, a very humble dwelling indeed.
A gentle-faced widow woman opened to their knock. She looked scared when she saw them, and drew back.
"Oh!" she said, "I hope Robert hasn't got into trouble again?"
"No, no, Mrs. Cooper, keep your mind easy, Bob's a' right at present. We just want to eat our bit o' bread and cheese in your sheeling."
"And right welcome ye are, sirs. Come in to the fire. Here's a broom to brush the snow fra your leggins."
Bounder marched in with the rest, with as much swagger and independence as if the cottage belonged to him. Mrs. Cooper's cat determined to defend her hearth and home against such intrusion, and when Bounder approached the former, she stood on her dignity, back arched, tail erect, hair on end from stem to stern, with her ears back, and green fire lurking in her eyes. Bounder stood patiently looking at her. He would not put down the hare, and he could not defend himself with it in his mouth; so he was puzzled. Pussy, however, brought matters to a crisis. She slapped his face, then bolted right up the chimney. Bounder put down the hare now, and gave a big sigh as he lay down beside it.
"No, Mrs. Cooper, Bob hasn't been at his wicked work for some time. He's been gi'en someone else a turn I s'pose, eh?"
"Oh, sirs," said the widow, "it's no wi' my will he goes poachin'! If his father's heid were above the sod he daren't do it. But, poor Bob, he's all I have in the world, and he works hard—sometimes."
Branson laughed. It was a somewhat sarcastic laugh; and young Archie felt sorry for Bob's mother, she looked so unhappy.
"Aye, Mrs. Cooper, Bob works hard sometimes, especially when settin' girns for game. Ha! ha! Hullo!" he added, "speak of angels and they appear. Here comes Bob himself!"