[Pg 35]

CHAPTER IV

PETER TAKES A RESIDENCE

Peter came out from the cottage door in the early morning. The rain of the previous night had ceased, only the trees, bushes, and grass were hung with myriads of drops sparkling silver and diamond in the morning sunshine. He smelt the good smell of the wet earth, and filled his lungs with the cool fresh air.

Peter

By rights Peter should by now have been well on his way, for, though his way led generally to no particular goal, he was always a-foot by sunrise. But something—Peter did not know what—held him to that cottage. It was almost as if the desolate place cried to him: “Stay with me; I, too, am lonely.” Certainly something indefinable but insistent was drawing him to remain.

“And why not?” said Peter half aloud.

And then he heard the creaking of a cart, and [Pg 36]the gruff voice of a carter encouraging his horse. In a moment it came in sight. The cart was empty, and the man was sitting on the side as he drove.

[Pg 36]

“Good morning,” said Peter pleasantly, as the cart and man came abreast of him.

The carter started, pulled up suddenly, and the horse came to a standstill.

“Well now,” he said in amazement, “whatever do-ee be doin’ there?”

“I sheltered here last night,” said Peter. “Can you tell me to whom this cottage belongs?”

The man shook his head. “It don’t belong to no one, and that’s certain sure.”

“But,” argued Peter, “a cottage which is obviously built by human agency must have an owner.”

Again the man shook his head. “It don’t belong to no one,” he reiterated.

Peter raised his eyebrows incredulously. “But why not?” he demanded.

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