a kind of
military tread. His face was good to see; the calm and joy of the bright
day seemed to have entered his soul, and his eyes looked as though he
were thinking of things too deep for words. His mouth was sternly
closed, and yet despite its tension the delicate lines at the corners
seemed to speak of humour and tenderness. His hat was thrown back a
little, and showed a large forehead marked by slight lines, which spoke
not so much of temper as of placid musing. He was murmuring to himself
as he walked, and he seemed to be in communion with a multitude of
exquisite thoughts. When he reached the bank where the geraniums grew,
his placidity quickened into alertness as he saw the figure of Tom
stretched upon the grass. He stepped up to the lounger and said, in a
low cheery tone--

"Well, Thomas, my man, and what takes you out at this time of day? I
suppose you are having a bit of a rest after yesterday?"

Thomas answered in the following terms:--

"I don't know what business it is of yours what I am doing. If you want
to know what I am here for, I'll tell you. I am thinking how I can cheat
the Conservancy men to-night. I wish you good-day."

The tall man was not by any means surprised by the uncourteous answer.
He was used to the homely insolence of the fishermen. So he said--

"Well, Thomas, I was young myself once, and I liked to lounge on the
Sunday as well as anybody; but it's God's Sabbath, and after all, you
know, my lad, you are not a pig, and I think you might be doing ever so
much better things than lying here. I am not a bit of a saint, and I am
not going to bother you about religion, but it struck me, as I came
across the moor, that I was happy, and you are not. Now I'll tell you
what I am going to do, Thomas--you won't throw me over the rock-edge,
because I am rather an awkward hand at that sort of thing. I am going to
sit down and have a pipe beside you. Will you give me a light?"

Tommy could not condescend to a grin, but he observed--

"Sit down and smoke as many pipes as you like, so long as you leave me
alone, Mr. Musgrave."

Musgrave knew his man, and answered smilingly--

"But I am not going to sit down to smoke and keep quiet. I want to have
a bit of talk to you; and as soon as I am done I am going to take you
with me. What do you think of that, Thomas?" And thereupon the old man
lighted his pipe, and sat smiling for a little and moving his long
fingers daintily. "When the two queer compa