"Lord!" exclaimed John.
"I might ha' knowed it!" said Job, drawing a cross in the air with his finger.
"An' so James Dutton wants to ax ye to tak' it off, Peter," said Old
Amos.
"To take what off?"
"Why, the spell, for sure." Hereupon I gave free play to my amusement, and laughed, and laughed, while the others watched me with varying expressions.
"And so you think that I bewitched Dutton's pigs, do you?" said I, at last, glancing from Old Amos to the perspiring Apology (who immediately began to mop at his face and neck again). "And why," I continued, seeing that nobody appeared willing to speak, "why should you think it of me?"
"W'y, Peter, ye bean't like ordinary folk; your eyes goes through an' through a man. An' then, Peter, I mind as you come a-walkin' into Siss'n'urst one night from Lord knows wheer, all covered wi' dust, an' wi' a pack on your back."
"You are wrong there, Amos," said I, "it was afternoon when I came, and the Ancient was with me."
"Ah! an' wheer did 'e find ye, Peter?—come, speak up an' tell us."
"In the Hollow," I answered.