In the evening Hillary the younger arrived, according to promise, with his gun. Oliver Luxmore feebly protested against troubling him. ’It is very good of you, Larry, but I don’t think I ought to accept it.’
’It is pleasure, not trouble,’ answered Larry.
’If the dog does not come to-night, I will keep guard on the morrow,’ said the carrier. ’I may not be able to shoot the dog, but I can scare him away with a bang.’
’I hope to kill him,’ said Hillary. ’Have you not heard that a guinea is offered for his carcase? Several farmers have clubbed and offered the reward.’
’Ours are all right; driven under cover.’
The young man supped with the Luxmores. He was full of mirth. Kate did not spare her tongue; she attacked and he retaliated, but all good-humouredly. ’They make a pair, do they not?’ whispered Oliver to his eldest daughter. ’Better spar before marriage and kiss after, than kiss first and squabble later.’
’Larry,’ said Honor, ’I will keep the fire up with a mote (tree-stump). You may be cold during the night, and like to run in and warm yourself.’
’Ay, Honor,’ said her father. ’Have a cider posset on the hob to furnish inner comfort.’
’Let no one sit up for me; I shall want nothing,’ answered Hillary, ’unless one of you girls will give me an hour of your company to break the back of the watch.’
’Your zeal is oozing out at your elbows,’ said Kate. ’Honor or I, or even little Joe, could manage to drive away the dog.’
’But not shoot it,’ retorted Hillary. ’Lock your door and leave me without. I shall be content if I earn the guinea.’
’I will remain below,’ said Honor quietly. ’We must not let all the burden rest on you. And if you are kind enough, Larry, to look after our lambs, we are bound to look after you.’
’If one of you remains astir, let it be Honor,’ said the young man. ’Kate and I would quarrel, and the uproar would keep the dog away.’
’I do not offer to sit up to-night,’ said the carrier, ’as my turn comes on the morrow, and I have had heavy work to-day that has tired me.’
Then he rose, held out his hand to Larry, kissed his daughters, and went upstairs to his room. Kate followed him speedily. Larry took up his gun and went out, and walked round the field. Then he came to the kitchen and said, ’All is quiet, not a sign to be seen of the enemy. I hope he will not disappoint me. You must have your red cloak again.’