‘Jist step for’ard, Mr. Sharpe, sir,’ whispered Job excitedly. ‘Jist look down through the bushes; I’ll bide here till ye come back.’ Sharpe paused for a moment or two, staring at him with evident displeasure, and then went forward. Presently his tall form towered above the bushes, and he looked down into the pit beneath. After a long and steady gaze he returned to Job, took him by the shoulder, and propelled him to a safe distance from the tantalising spot. Job, when finally released, examined him with great curiosity; but the farmer’s face, though a little redder than usual, in consequence probably of his recent exertions, was stolid as ever. ‘Well?’ he said in answer to the man’s inquiring gaze. ‘Well, sir, did ’ee see who was there?’ ‘Of course I did. Mrs. Fiander was there, where I left her, and my nevvy was there. He ’ve comed home, I see, as I axed him.’ ‘Oh,’ said Job, much disappointed, ‘I didn’t know you were expectin’ of him.’ ‘Did n’t ’ee, Job? I ’ve been expectin’ of ’en all this week. I’m glad he’s come.’ ‘It seems a bit queer as he should be in Mrs. Fiander’s hayfield, instead o’ goin’ straight to your place,’ urged Job almost plaintively. It was a little disappointing to find that his great discovery had been anticipated. ‘When I did see ’en b_i_-c_y_cling along the road I made sure he must be going straight to you, and then when I did see his b_i-_c_y_cle leanin’ agen’ the hedge, I jist thought I ’d see where he ’d got to—and there he were in the dell.’ ‘And a very nat’ral place for ’en to be,’ returned Isaac in his most matter-of-fact tone. ‘I did tell ’en most pertic-lar we was cuttin’ the Church Meadow, and when he saw Mrs. Fiander in the dell ’t was most nat’ral he should go and speak to her. I don’t see nothin’ queer, Job Hunt.’ ‘He was a-holdin’ o’ both her hands when I see ’en,’ muttered Job. ‘Ah,’ commented Isaac. ‘Well, he’ll be a-holdin’ both mine soon. I be main glad he be come back. Now I’m a-goin’ home to my supper, and I think you ’d do well to go back to yours, Job. I’ll expect you early in the field to-morrow; so the sooner ye get back to look arter your own business the better. I would n’t advise ’ee to go interfering wi’ my nevvy. He bain’t so very fond o’ folks axin’ questions or pryin’ about. Ah, I ’ve known ’en take his fists to a man once as he thought too curious. ’T is the way wi’ young chaps.’ He nodded, fixed his eyes impressively on Hunt, as though to make sure that the meaning of his words had penetrated to that somewhat dull-witted gentleman’s consciousness, and finally rolled homewards, to all appearance placid as ever. He had not proceeded very far before he paused, however, shook his head, and finally stood stock-still. ‘Two hands,’ said Farmer Sharpe reflectively. ‘Two hands!’ * * *