Page:Possession (Roche, February 1923).pdf/217

 and Mr. Hobbs had it out between them. And I'm glad Hobbs didna get him."

Edmund jumped sulkily to the ground and turned towards the house.

"Put Darby in the loose box, Hugh," directed Derek, "and try to make him easy in his mind, if you can." Then he followed his brother. "Are you hungry?" he asked.

"I could take something substantial for tea. They gave us sandwiches and beer, at one o'clock. Yes, I'm rather hungry."

Derek ordered tea and they sat down in the dining room. Edmund picked up a month-old copy of Punch and began gloomily to read.

"What's the matter?" demanded Derek. "You seem peeved."

"Do you know where Fawnie is?"

"Snailem took her to Brancepeth to buy clothes. You knew that. What's she been up to? She should have been back long ago."

Edmund began to walk angrily up and down the room. "I'll tell you then. She ought to be thrashed. About an hour ago she and Snailem appeared at the sale. She holding the kid on her lap. Snailem looking half-full, and a pram tied on the back of the buggy. You can imagine the outfit. . . . I was thunder-struck. The crowd seemed to know who she was instantly. A lot of them thought I was you, and turned and grinned at me." He stopped before Derek and looked down at him accusingly.

"Well," said Derek, calmly. "Go on. What did she do?"

"Oh, she was as bold as brass. She alighted from her equipage. Snailem gave her his hand. Then he got the pram for her, and she set the kid in it. It was wicker, painted green, and there was a cover with a big pink bow. She'd got herself a hat with cherries on it and long green