"I consider you are very--exceedingly--" I checked the word upon my lips and scowled. "Well? Very exceedingly--what?" she demanded. "Never mind!" "I don't!" she retorted, and flicked Diogenes to speedier gait, for evening was beginning to fall. CHAPTER XXXI A VEREKER'S ADVICE TO A VEREKER Diogenes, perceiving he was permitted to loiter no more, philosophically betook himself to his heels, or rather hoofs, and trotted briskly supper-wards, up hill and down, until suddenly, above the rattle and grind of the wheels, I was aware of a man's voice, peculiarly sonorous and sweet, upraised in joyful singing. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise Him all creatures here below--" The single voice was joined by others that swelled in jubilant chorus: "Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost." Reaching the top of a hill I looked down upon a little hamlet shady with trees, a cluster of thatched, flower-girt cottages, a hoary church, an ancient inn before which last stood Jessamy Todd and a group of rustic folk, men in smocked frocks or shirt sleeves, bare-armed women in aprons or print gowns, children tousled and round of eye, and all, for the most part, very silent, with heads reverently bowed, for Jessamy was praying: "--so Heavenly Father here we be, Thy children all, weary with another day's labour, grant us this night Thy peace, each one. If any there be that grieve, O Father, comfort 'em; if any there be in pain, O Father, pity an' cherish 'em; if any do bear ill-will agin his brother, O Father, turn his anger to love that love may come thereby. Oh, make us strong against all temptations, that when we come to our last, long sleep we may rest with Thee for ever. Amen. And good-night, friends and brothers." Hereupon Jessamy put on his hat, paused to grasp the horny hands extended to him, then lifted a large canvas bag to his shoulder, but at my shout he turned and flourished his hat in salutation as we drove up. "Why, Jessamy," exclaimed Diana, as he placed the bag in the cart, "what's come t' your face?" And now I saw his comely features were disfigured by an ugly blue weal. "Oh, nothin' much, Ann," he exclaimed, smiling a little sheepishly. "Only a whip--" "Lord, Jess--whose?" "I come on a fine gentleman thrashing of a little lad, whereupon I ventured a word of remonstrance as in dooty bound and turned to look to the lad as lay a-weepin', whereupon the gentleman took occasion to gi'e me this here--ye see he didn't 'appen to know me, poor soul!" "Well, I hope you gave the 'poor soul' all he needed!" cried Diana, cracking the whip so loudly that Diogenes pricked startled ears. "I'm afraid I did, Ann, God forgive me. The Old Adam's very strong in me." "And how's the poor boy?" "Why, the gentleman wore ridin' boots, d'ye see--" "Ah!" exclaimed Diana between white teeth. "And what's become o' the gentleman--"