“Drumsticks aren’t the only things that are dropped,” he observed maliciously. “No,” she agreed simply. She did not even seem to remember how she had trounced “that fool of a _man_.” No sense of humour in the sex, he reflected again. “Do hold the brute!” he cried, for Nip was again showing his teeth in defence of the box. “If you kept off a bull, you don’t need protection against a terrier,” she replied, and to his further amazement there was a note of admiration in her voice. “The weaker the thing the harder it is to fight,” he rejoined significantly. He had his back now to the cart, and he hoisted his trunk upon it. “You’re not going to carry it?” There was incredulity in her voice, for it was a box that looked nearly as long as himself. “Who else?” He shifted the box to his right shoulder, which he had padded with his coat. “I thought you’d go home and get a truck or something.” “And leave it on the road?” “It’s just as safe as my glove.” “There’s no safety for either,” he said oracularly, “if a man like me comes along.” And he swaggered forwards with his huge load. “Why, you’re as strong as the bull!” said Jinny. “I am.” He was flattered. “And as obstinate as a mule!” He increased his pace. “Good-bye, Will!” He did not answer. Methusalem caught him up. “Since you _are_ going to Frog Farm,” said the Carrier, “why not take your folks’ groceries too? I don’t usually get ’em till Friday, but when I got your order to go there to-day——!” “Why should I do your jobs?” “Just what I told you. You can’t live a week at Frog Farm without me.” “Give me the parcel.” His forehead was already beaded with perspiration, but his left hand heroically held out his stick: “Slide the string on this.” She shook her head. “_Still he’d sing fol de rol lay_,” she trilled, and in a minute he was hopelessly left behind. The road had already begun the ascent towards Long Bradmarsh, but he heard her goading Methusalem to greater efforts, as though in fear lest he should repent under the burden of his obstinacy. XII