LOW PRICES AND LONG FACES. 137 



cepted that as a notice, and prepared my answer for 

 what I foresaw was coming when we had done 

 riding through the stubbles : and as I think his hoofs 

 were on every acre of them, I had time enough for 

 preparation.' 



A short silence ensued. The ash-stick and the 

 spur seemed to work less emphatically. The horses 

 dropped into a walk: they were nearing the town 



of , which began to loom through the morning 



mist. The approaching termination of the ride 

 seemed to bring the two saddles closer together. 



* I think I know what you mean. I had an ink- 

 ling of it before, when I heard the story from old 

 Dobson ; but I see it plainer-like now, after what 

 you've said. You likes a man as thinks of grace 

 afore meat? said Mr. Greening in a sort of under- 

 tone, and looking up into the face of the other, sig- 

 nificantly, and with a half expression of enquiry. 



' You've described it more shortly and better than 

 I could have done ; you've hit the nail on the very 



head,' said the other. ' I don't know how it is, 



Greening, but these dark misty mornings bring some 

 thoughts into my mind that I hardly know how to 

 tell exactly as I feel them. But this I know, that 

 some of the thoughts they bring make me shrink 



