Page:Possession (Roche, February 1923).pdf/237

 ignoring her threat. "Well, wrap yourselves up warmly, and we'll buy clothes for everybody."

The gelding was wild to go. He sent little clots of snow on to the buffalo robe, and even against their faces. The air was like wine, the lake lay tranquil and bright below, its smooth surface only disturbed by the wet black heads of a flock of wild ducks swimming sharply near the shore. Durras flew past; then the Jerrolds' cottage. Derek gave one swift look at the little stable. Even the weather-vane on its gable was draped in white. Buckskin crowed and kicked with joy at the merry jingle of the sleighbells.

Brancepeth was a newborn village, white and pure, and only half awake. People in the street stopped to stare at the dashing red sleigh, and at dark little Mrs. Vale showing her white teeth in an assured smile.

Derek let her go into the milliner's shop alone. He sat outside holding the restive horse, and looking down with amusement at the round-faced infant beside him who stared from under his woollen cap with greenish blue eyes so like his own. Plainly he was fascinated by the aspect of the butcher's shop, next door to the milliner's. For a beautiful roe hung there by her heels, her disembowelled body stiff and taut, her pink tongue between her teeth, touching the pavement. And, as though that were not enough, there hung at the other side of his door, a burly black bear, his great paws with their curving claws pressed together as if in prayer.

"Deer!" said Derek, pointing with his whip, "Bear! Gun shot them."

Buckskin twitched from head to foot with excitement. He made inarticulate sounds of joy.

Fawnie came to the door of the millinery shop with a blue hat on her head. Did darling like it? Darling thought it was horrible and said so. It made her sallow. Then she