"One of hereabouts?" she inquired.
"Not quite that—further up the country."
"I thought so. And so be I; and by your tongue you come from my neighborhood."
"But you would hardly have heard of me," he said quickly. "My time would be long before yours, ma'am, you see."
This testimony to the youthfulness of his hostess had the effect of stopping her cross-examination.
"There is only one thing more wanted to make me happy," continued the new-comer, "and that is a little baccy, which I am sorry to say I am out of."
"I'll fill your pipe," said the shepherd.
"I must ask you to lend me a pipe likewise."
"A smoker, and no pipe about 'ee?"
"I have dropped it somewhere on the road."