Retracing his steps, the boy once more joined the crowd, and wormed his way through its now silent ranks until he came within sight of the assembly-room. But if he had wished to hear Clive’s speech of thanks, he was too late. As he arrived, applause greeted the hero’s final words, and he resumed his seat. To the speeches that followed no heed was paid by the populace; words from the vicar and the local attorney had no novelty for them. But they waited, gossiping among themselves, until the festivity was over and the party broke up. More shouts arose as the great man appeared at the inn door. Horses were there in waiting; a hundred hands were ready to hold the stirrup for Clive; but he mounted unassisted and rode off in company with Sir Philip Chetwode, a neighbouring squire, whose guest he was. When the principal figure had gone, the throng rapidly melted away, and soon the street had resumed its normal quiet. The boy was among the last to quit the scene. Walking slowly down the road, he overtook a bent old man in the smock of a farm labourer, trudging along alone. "Hey, measter Desmond," said the old man, "I feels for tha, that I do. I seed yer brother theer, eatin’ an’ drinkin’ along wi’ the noble general, an’ thinks I, ’tis hard on them as ha’ to look on, wi’ mouths a-waterin’ fur the vittles an’ drink. But theer, I’d be afeard to set lips to some o’ them kickshawses as goes down into the nattlens o’ high folk; an’, all said an’ done, a man canna be more’n full, even so it bin wi’ nowt but turmuts an’ Cheshire cheese. Well, sir, ’tis fine to be a nelder son, that’s true, an’ dunna ya take on about it. You bin on’y a lad, after all, pardon my bold way o’ speakin’, an’ mebbe when you come to man’s estate, why, there’ll be a knife an’ fork fur you too, though I doubt we’ll never see General Clive in these parts no moore. Here be my turnin’; good night to ya, sir." "Good-night, Dickon." [Sidenote: To Cheswardine] And Desmond Burke passed on alone, out of the silent town, into the now darkening road that led to his home towards Cheswardine. CHAPTER THE SECOND *In which our hero overhears a conversation; and, meeting with the expected, is none the less surprised and offended.*