"They horned sheep have all gone down in a crowd from the high ground, and they want to be driven back, which I’ll do after I’ve had a cup of tea and changed my clothes," said the other. Six weeks later there fell out an unfortunate incident which went far to extinguish the slightly closer understanding that had obtained between these women since Bartley Crocker met David. By ill-fortune Madge annoyed Rhoda exceedingly, and her brother was also implicated. Mr. Snell, however, suffered most in the sequel. With great circumspection he had avoided Rhoda for a month after their walk, then he met her and proposed another. "’Twill have to be short, for the evenings close in so," she said. "I like the dark so well as you, however," he assured her. "I only like the dark alone," she answered. "How coorious! I only like it in company," he declared. "But, if you’m willing, I’ll be so bold as to call at the cot half after two come Sunday week." "I shall be home that day. I dare say my sister-in-law will come too." "As to her--" began Mr. Snell, then he checked himself. "She’s a very nice woman; in fact, you’d have to look a long way further than Sheepstor parish to find her equal," he declared. And then he went his way, dimly conscious that he had chosen his words awkwardly. When he arrived Rhoda was ready, but Margaret had a cold in her face, and the other had not asked her to join the party. Mr. Snell’s appearance came as a surprise, and David spoke. "Why, here’s Simon again! So ’tis him you be prinked up in that new hat for, Rhoda!" Margaret laughed despite herself, and the virgin flushed; but with anger. "Look at her roses!" said David, whose Sunday dinner had left him in an easy mood. Then his sister instantly restored him to seriousness. "How dare you!" she cried. "How dare you laugh, Margaret, or you say such things, David? You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. I won’t see the man! Never again will I see him! ’Tis you coarse creatures ought to blush--not me!" She left them, went to her room, and refused to descend though Margaret came up and pleaded with her. "Tell him to go," was all that Rhoda said. Mr. Snell was placidly regretful to hear that Rhoda had a headache. "The headache is a very painful thing; but she’ll soon be rids of it," he said. "Us was going for a walk, but ’tis not of any consequence. I can go just as easy alone. Or I needn’t go at all, come to think of it." He went to the gate, hesitated, and returned. "When she comes down house again, you might give her my respects," he said; "and if ’tis her stomach that is out of order, there’s nothing better than a little cold onion broth without salt, taken when the organs all be empty." "I’ll tell her," promised Margaret, and Mr. Snell shuffled off. He walked over the exact ground of the former peregrination and recalled the former topics very accurately.