’I brought Larry Nanspian back part of the way with me,’ said Oliver. ’His father drove him into town, but the old man stayed to drink, and Larry preferred to come on with me.’ ’That was well of him,’ said Honor, looking up with a smile. ’We talked of the grey,’ continued the carrier. ’Larry was on the box with me. I put Kate inside, among the clucking, clacking old women. Larry asked me about the grey, and I told him how that we had got her. He shook his head, and he said, "Take care of yourself, Luxmore, lest in running out of the rain you get under the drip. I don’t believe that Uncle Taverner is the man to do favours for nothing."’ ’Did he say that?’ asked Honor. ’He meant nothing by it—he was joking.’ ’Of course he was joking. We joke a good deal together about one thing or another. He is grown a fine fellow. He came swinging up to me with his thumbs in his armholes and said, "Mr. Luxmore, Honor won’t be able to withstand me in this waistcoat. She’ll fall down and worship."’ ’Did he say that?’ asked Honor, and her brow flushed. ’Tush! you must not take his words as seriously meant. He had got a fine satin waistcoat to-day, figured with flowers. He pulled his coat open to show it me. I suppose he thought the satin waistcoat would draw you as a scarlet rag will attract rabbits.’ Honor turned the subject. ’What more did he say about Mr. Langford?’ ’Oh, nothing particular. He told me he was sorry that his father could not spare us a horse, to keep us out of the clutches of his uncle Taverner. Then he laughed and said you had warned him not to run into debt, and yet had led the way yourself.’ ’Run into debt, how?’ Oliver evaded an answer. ’In going up the hills, Kate and he walked together. He got impatient at last, and walked on by himself, and we never caught him up again.’ Honor did not look up from her work. She was mending some clothes of one of the children. ’He asked me a great deal about you,’ said Kate. ’He said it was a shame that you should stick at home and never go to market, and see life.’ ’How can I, with the house to look after? When you are a little more reliable, Kate, I may go. I cannot now.’ Suddenly they heard a loud, deep voice at the door. ’Halloo! what a climb to the cock-loft.’ They looked startled to the door, and saw a man standing in it, with military trousers on his legs, and his hands in his pockets, watching them, with a laugh on his face. ’You have some supper! That’s well. I’m cussed hungry. Walked from Tavistock. Why weren’t you there to-day, father?’ ’It is Charles!’ exclaimed Luxmore, springing to his feet, and upsetting the table as he did so—that the cyder jug fell and was broken, and spilt its contents, and some plates went to pieces on the floor. ’Charlie, welcome home! Who would have expected to see you? Where have you been? What have you done? Have you served your time? Have you got your discharge? Lord, how glad I am to see you!’