“It was now two days before the wedding, and I sought out Ruth to make her my humble present. Never mind what it was. I had got her an extra present, which, I told her, was my real offering, and I gave her the case, and she opened it on a pair of big brass ear-rings. She got very white. “‘You can wear them now,’ I said, ‘Leslie at least isn’t jealous of me, and here is the rest,’ and I gave her the coloured scarf. “She took it from my hand, never thanking me or saying a word, but looking at me steadily, and put the scarf round her throat. “I added my good wishes; Heaven knows they were sincere. “‘Tell me you’re happy, Ruth, and I shall be filled with gladness.’ “‘I’m happy,’ she said dully. “‘And you’re fond of Leslie?’ “‘Yes,’ she said with such sudden emphasis that I was startled, ‘all that you said about him is true; he is kind and valiant, a man with whom any woman should be happy. I am glad that I have learnt how good he is. I am fonder of him than of my brothers.’ “I thought that a strange comparison, but not wholly a bad one. “I tried to be hearty. “‘I am so pleased, Ruth, and my vanity is gratified, too, for I almost think you might have passed him by but for me.’ “‘Yes,’ she said, ‘yes, I would have passed him by.’ “‘By God, Ruth!’ I burst out, ‘he is a lucky fellow. Do you know that you are a very beautiful woman?’ “She swayed as though she were dizzy for a moment. “‘I must go,’ she said then, ‘and I haven’t said thank you, but I do thank you.’ “She paused. “‘You have taught me a great deal. I have learnt from you what men like Leslie Dymock have a right to expect from life.’ “‘And you will give it him?’ I asked. “She bowed her head. “‘I will try.’ “Now I thought that a very satisfactory conversation, and I went about my work, for beasts must be fed and housed, weddings or no weddings, with a singing heart that day. If, somewhere, a tiny worm of jealousy crawled about on the floor-mud of my being, I think I bottled it very successfully into a corner. I was not jealous of Dymock on account of Ruth; no, not exactly; but jealous only as one must be jealous of two young happy things when one remembers that, much as one values one’s independence, one is not the vital life-spark of any other human being on this earth. There must be moments when the most liberty-loving among us envy the yoke they fly from. “I clapped a cow on her ungainly shallow flanks as I tossed up her bedding, and said to her, ‘You and I, old friend, must stick together, for if man can’t have his fellow-creatures to love he must return to the beasts.’ She turned her glaucous eye on me as she munched her supper. Then I heard voices in the shed. “‘Rawdon! if dad sees you....’ “And Westmacott’s hoarse voice.