"But why--what for?" "Because we are friends and comrades, I hope, and according to the rules of the Brotherhood of the Roadside as expounded by you, 'those that have, give to those that haven't--it would be a poor world else.'" "No, no!" he exclaimed, "no, no, can't be done--I think ye mean kindly, but it won't do." "But why not?" I demanded. "Because no man as is a man takes money unless he's earned it or lent it, or happens to be starving--" "Nor woman either!" said Diana. "Very well!" quoth I, a little ruefully, cramming the money back into my pockets. "Then perhaps you will come to Tonbridge and help me to spend it?" "I would wi' j'y, but there's my work--ask Ann, she'll go wi' you." "I'm busy, too!" said she, whereupon I turned and strode off in high dudgeon. But presently she overtook me, "Don't you think you'd better wash first?" she enquired. At this I stopped, for I had clean forgotten my grime. "Why should I trouble to wash? How can it matter to you?" "Not much, Peregrine, but you look a little better with a clean face and we shall likely meet plenty o' folk--" "Do you mean you will come with me?" "Yes, Peregrine." "Then I'll wash." "Yes, I brought you the soap and towel." So we came to the brook where she sat to watch while I performed my so necessary ablutions. "I have no wish to hinder your work," said I, towelling vigorously. "No, Peregrine." "And I am quite able to find my way to Tonbridge alone." "Yes, Peregrine." "And it is a goodish distance, so if you would rather not come, pray do not trouble." "No, Peregrine." "Heavens, girl!" I cried. "Cannot you say more than 'yes and no, Peregrine'?" "Aye, I could!" she nodded. "I could say you are a fool and a sight too cocksure--and, oh, a lot more--but I won't!" with which she rose and left me. My toilet achieved, I returned to find Jerry busy harnessing Diogenes, the pony. "For if you'm a-going, Peregrine, you may as well do the marketing, and there's a mort o' stores to bring back. Besides, Anna can take her baskets t' sell, d'ye see." So in a while, behold Diana throned on the driving seat, reins in hand, while I led Diogenes up the winding, grassy slope to the high road; this done, I climbed aboard and off we swung for Tonbridge town. Diogenes pounded along merrily, the wheels creaked and rattled cheerily, a soaring lark carolled joyously somewhere in the sunny air above us; but Diana drove in sullen silence, her face averted pertinaciously, wherefore I scowled before me and kept silence also; thus Diogenes, wheels and lark had it all to themselves. And when we had driven thus some distance I spoke: "You are a very bright and cheery companion this afternoon!" At this she jerked her shoulder at me with a petulant gesture. "Indeed," said I, "it is a great wonder that you troubled to come with me--" "I've my baskets to sell!" she retorted in her most ungracious manner.