good-bye.” [Pg 20] [Pg 20] Peter vaulted over a stile that led into the high-road. He turned and waved his hat in the direction of the man looking after him, then started off at a swinging pace. Ten minutes took him into the valley, then he began to ascend. Part way up the hill he turned and looked at the now distant field. “Oh, damn!” he said half ruefully. “Why the devil did I meet him!” [Pg 21] [Pg 21] CHAPTER II THE FIRST-BORN It was about five o’clock in the afternoon that Peter entered a small market-town. It There were a good many people in the streets, for it was market-day, and there was an air of leisurely business about the place; completed business chiefly, for already stalls were being dismantled, and unsold butter, eggs, and chickens were being repacked in big baskets. Small groups of men stood about together discussing the weather and the prospect of the various crops. Carts drove slowly down the steep High Street, returning to outlying farms. Peter walked up the hill. One or two people turned to look at him. Something about him—probably the peacock feather in his hat—attracted attention. Half-way up the street stood a big red-brick [Pg 22]post-office. It was an imposing edifice, and seemed to dominate the other buildings with an air of Government importance. [Pg 22] As Peter approached it he felt his heart beating quickly. On the steps he paused for a moment. A girl with a small Yorkshire terrier tucked under her arm was just coming out. She saw Peter on the steps, and kept her hand on the swinging door in order that he might enter. There was nothing for it but to go forward quickly and catch the door from her with a murmured word of thanks. Peter was inside the post-office. He
Prev.
Back
Top