“_Seeing_ isn’t believing,” said Jinny. “Had you there, old cock,” said Tony. “She knows what I mean, right enough. I’ll start a coach-service ’twixt Little Bradmarsh and Chipstone, ay and farther too, passengers inside, luggage on the roof. I’ll wake up this sleepy old spot.” And his vigour seemed to communicate itself to his horses: they caracoled and stamped. “Better let sleeping spots lie,” said Jinny. “I thought you hated Yankee going-ahead.” “It’ll save _you_ going ahead, anyhow,” said Will. “Why didn’t you let things sleep?” “Me! How could I help helping Gran’fer?” “Women have always got an excuse. ‘And the man gave unto me and I did eat.’” “Lord! He’s been reading the Bible!” laughed Tony. Will flushed. All those hours in quest of orthography passed through his mind. And what had all his painstaking letters led to? Quarrels, recriminations, miseries. Well, let him have done with it all. Ignore her, crush her, that was the best way. Once he had driven her out of the business, that tongue of hers would wag more meekly. Then, perhaps——! A rousing blast on Jinny’s horn cut defiantly into his thoughts. It was at once a challenge and a mockery. Will turned his horses’ heads sharply and trotted out, Nip at their heels. But at the edge of the enclosure Nip looked back wistfully to beg his mistress to join the party. She, however, lowering her horn, cried, “Come here, you naughty dog. Come here at once.” Nip stood in pathetic hesitation. “It’s that animal my play shall be written round,” said Tony decisively. “How much do you want for him?” “You know I wouldn’t, part with him for love or money,” said Jinny. “Well, I haven’t got any money,” said Tony slowly. “But if you’d like the other thing——” “Don’t be silly!” Jinny moved towards her cart. “I mean it—a wife like you would be the making of a man.” “Now you’ll have to walk home!” said Jinny, springing into her seat. It was too ironic a climax to the morning. “Not in my slippers!” gasped Tony. “You should have put on your boots!” said Jinny sternly. “But listen!” He clung to the cart as if he would stop it. “It’s a heaven-sent opportunity.” “It must be sent back,” said Jinny gravely. “I mean for me,” he explained desperately. “You know how Polly objects to my marrying again. But I’ve got to break the deal with Duke to her, so I could work in the two at once. It couldn’t be worse.” “I shall never marry,” said Jinny. “Gee up!” “But whoa, whoa, you don’t carry only your husbands,” cried Tony. “Stop!” He pursued Methusalem for some yards, but even Methusalem was too quick for him. And then, as he stood panting and perspiring and overcome by a dark upwelling of disbelief in life, he perceived the Duchess with her manuscript and his daughter returning from the histrionic consultation at “The Learned Pig.”