He threw the fern impatiently down, as he reached the path once more, and his brow furrowed, for memory told him directly that it was the pretty little _asplenium_, the peculiarities of whose growth he had explained to Eve when he met her with Mrs Glaire the day before, and had passed with them through Ranby wood, the latter lady probably being too insignificant to be taken in by Mr Sim Slee's comprehensive vision. Walking rapidly on, to calm his thoughts, he came across the object of his search, busily dragging a sheep out of a little narrow grip or drain that had been cut in the field, and into which the unfortunate animal had rolled feet uppermost, its heavy wet fleece, and the size of the drain, making it impossible for the timid beast to extricate itself. "Fahrweltered, parson," said the bluff-looking farmer, as he came up. "I beg your pardon," said the vicar. "Fahrweltered--fahrweltered," said the farmer, laughing; "we say in these parts a sheep's fahrweltered when he gets on his back like that. I expect," he continued, with a roguish twinkle of his eye, "you've found some of your flock fahrweltered by this time." "Indeed, I have," said the vicar, laughing; "and so far the shepherd has not been able to drag them out." "No, I s'pose not," said the farmer, carefully wiping his hands upon a big yellow silk handkerchief before offering one to be shaken. "You've got your work coot out, my lad, and no mistake. But come on up to the house, and have a bit of something. I come over to you about the meeting, and the books, and the rest of it." The vicar followed him up to the farm-house, where the heavy stack-yard, abundant display of cattle, and noises of the yard told of prosperity; and then leading the way through the red-brick passage into the long, low, plainly-furnished sitting-room, the first words Murray Selwood heard were-- "Jess, Miss Pelly, I've brought you a visitor." The vicar's cheek burned, as he could not help a start, but he recovered himself directly as he saw Eve Pelly's sweet face, with its calm unruffled look, and replied to the frank pressure of her hand, as she said she was delighted to see him. "This is my niece, Jessie," said the farmer in his bluff way. "She says, parson--" "Oh, uncle!" cried the pleasant, bright-faced girl. "Howd your tongue, lass; I shall tell him. She says, parson, she's glad our old fogy has gone, for it's some pleasure to come and hear you." "Oh, Mr Selwood, please," said the girl, blushing, "I didn't quite say that. Uncle does--" "'Zaggerate," said the old man, laughing. "Well, perhaps he does. But come, girl, get in a bit of lunch. There, what now, Miss Pelly; are we frightening you away?" "Oh, no," said Eve, smiling, "only I must go now." "Sit thee down, lass, sit thee down. Parson's going back directly, and he'll walk wi' thee and see thee safe home."