Hillary said nothing in reply, but his humour was not improved. His mind wandered from his partner. ’When is Honor coming?’ he asked abruptly. ’She is not coming at all.’ ’Why not?’ ’Father is not home, and will want his supper when he does return.’ ’Honor must do all the drudging whilst others dance,’ he said peevishly. ’I offered to stay and let her come, but she would not hear of it.’ Hillary danced badly; he lost step. He excused himself; but Kate was dissatisfied with her partner, he was dull, and she was displeased to see that Sam Voaden was dancing and laughing and enjoying himself with some one else. ’You are a clumsy partner,’ she said, ’and dance like old Diamond when backing against a load going down hill.’ ’Honor gave you that kerchief? What did she say when she gave it you?’ ’Nothing.’ He said no more, and led her to a bench in the side of the barn. ’What! tired already, Larry? I am not.’ ’I am,’ he answered sulkily. Directly, Sam Voaden came to her, and was received with smiles. ’Larry Nanspian came left leg foremost out of bed this morning,’ she said. ’He is as out of tune as Piper’s fiddle.’ Kate was in great request that evening. The lads pressed about her, proud to circle round the floor with the graceful pretty girl; but she gave the preference to Samuel Voaden. Hillary asked her to dance with him in ’The Triumph,’ but she told him sharply she would reserve her hand for him in the Dumps, and he did not ask her again. The girls present looked at Kate with envy. They were unable to dispute her beauty; but her charm of manner and lively wit made her even more acceptable to the lads than her good looks. She was perfectly conscious of the envy and admiration she excited, and as much gratified with one as with the other. Samuel Voaden was infatuated. He pressed his attentions, and Kate received them with pleasure. As she danced past Larry she cast him glances of contemptuous pity. Hillary was angry with Honor, angry with Kate, angry with himself. The spoiled prince was cast aside by two girls—a common carrier’s daughters. He was as irritated against Kate now as he was previously against Honor. When he heard Kate laugh, he winced, suspecting that she was joking about him. His eyes followed the kerchief, and his heart grew bitter within him. He made no attempt to be amusing. He had nothing to say to any one. He let the dances go on without seeking partners. He stood lounging against the barn door, with a sprig of honeysuckle in his mouth, and his hands behind his back. The sun was set, a cool grey light suffused the meadow, the stackyard, the barn, the groups who stood about, and the dancers within. A dog ventured in at the door, and he kicked it out. The dog snarled and barked, and he nearly quarrelled with young Voaden because the latter objected to his dog being kicked.