Page:Son of the wind.djvu/180

RV 166 "I beg your pardon," Carron said mildly, catching step with him, "I would like to explain that it is a civil question." To talk while he could see only a profile, and both hurrying so that their breath came short, was impossible. "There will be no harm in waiting a moment," he said and took him by the He half expected resistance, but Ferrier stopped. He stood holding himself stiffly, as if expecting a blow. Carron waited. The fellow's eyes glanced sidelong on the ground, then at the woods, then upward at the bright face of the sky, finally, sullenly, to his adversary's face. "I wanted to ask you," the horse-breaker said, "if you ever went hunting?"

"I don't think I have the time." Ferrier was trying to resume his air of a young gentleman in society, but it was a failure.

"Because I am going to-morrow," Carron went on, as though the other had not spoken, "and I should like to have you go along."

"No, I can't."

"You'd better," Carron urged. "I am a stranger here. I don't know the country, and you would be doing me a service."

"I am not going to do any more services for you!" Ferrier squared himself obstinately. "You've got all you're going to get out of me."