"I quite agree--as a general thing; but, however--" he broke off and looked at his watch. "My word, only four o’clock! Who’d have thought it?" he exclaimed. "In my case I’ve been throwed a lot with men," said Rhoda. "So you have, and no doubt you’ll understand ’em pretty well. In fact, you’re as brave as most men. I’m sure now you are braver than me." "Ban’t you brave then?" "I’m brave by fits and starts," said Mr. Snell. "With cattle, yes; with horses, no. When I was a little nipper, not above twelve or thirteen year old, a wicked horse got me down and bit my shoulder to the bone. He’d have killed me in another moment, but the Lord sent a man with a pitchfork and I was saved. But I feared a horse from that day, and if I could show you my shoulder, which, of course, I wouldn’t offer for to do, you’d see how I was mangled by the teeth of him." "Some horses be as uncertain as dogs, and they’ve got terrible long memories--better than ours sometimes." "No doubt you know, so full of learning about four-footed things as you be." "We’ll turn now, please." "Certainly. Us have come a longer way than I thought to. But you step out something wonderful." "I like walking." "So do I--nothing better. I go along ten miles of the leat six days a week, winter and summer. You might be surprised to know that I go more than three thousand miles in the year. ’Twas done out in figures by Mr. Mattacott all quite correct." They had turned, and now walked a considerable way in absolute silence. Then a neighbour came in sight, and Mr. Snell grew nervous. "There’s that clacking creature, Mary Main. She haven’t seed us yet. If you’d rather for me to go away afore she does--?" "Yes, if you like." "It might be better--unless-- Well, here’s good-bye then for the present, and I’m very thankful to you for walking--very thankful and no less." "Us have had a nice walk." "I quite agree, I’m sure; and thank you kindly; if I get over this here wall I can pick up the leat yonder; and to see me by the leat will be an everyday sight for anybody." "Yes, it will." He hurried off, and Mary Main, when she met Rhoda alone as usual, had no idea of her recent great adventure. What impression the walk with Simon left in the girl’s mind none ever knew; but Mr. Snell felt mildly elated by the achievement, though he told nobody about it. He was secretive, and his own mother knew nothing of his thoughts. Indeed, she was scarcely aware that he did think. Rhoda, too, confided in none but her brother. She said nothing about her amusement, and when Margaret openly asked her if she had enjoyed it, she did not answer the question, but replied with some other matter. It happened thus. "Did you like Mr. Snell’s opinions?" asked her sister-in-law, as Rhoda took off her hat and came to the tea-table.