Page:Nêne (1922).djvu/14

12 moment, smiling at the work done, and their eyes caressed the six shiny, well muscled backs and the new plough lying flat on the earth, like a strong, lean bird.

Then Corbier lifted his head and asked,

"What news?"

"Nothing you don't know. I just took my sister to your house. You hired her from to-day, didn't you? You don't mean to say you'd forgotten?"

"Not at all! Only, I wasn't thinking of you in that connection. It wasn't you I hired; your hands are a bit large for a servant girl's."

The big fellow broke into a slow laugh that showed his white teeth; and the farmer went on:

"You aren't—maybe—stretching out Sunday a little, Trooper?"

The laugh was cut short.

"I'm not one of your town boys. A bit of a spree doesn't drive me to bed, nor upset my work days. And don't you forget it, Corbier!"

"No offence, I hope"

"Oh, not much I usually work on Monday. But to-day is my day off. I kept out four days in the year like that, for my mother, in my bargain with the boss. One when it's getting on to winter, to 'tend to the firewood; two for the garden; and the fourth for things—unforeseen odd jobs, as you might say."

"I know," said Corbier.