John.
The carpenter looked up from his work.
"But a clever one will find it," he said.
Mr. Thomas was heard to sigh.
III
It was on the afternoon of the following day that Marjorie rode up to
her house with Janet beside her, and Hugh Owen walking by her horse.
He had finished his work at Padley an hour or two after dawn--for he
worked at night when he could, and had then gone to rest. But he had
been waiting for her when her horses were brought, and asked if he might
walk with her; he had asked it simply and easily, saying that it might
save his losing his way, and time was precious to him.
* * * * *
Marjorie felt very much interested by this lad, for he was no more than
that. In appearance he was like any of his kind, with a countryman's
face, in a working-dress: she might have seen him by chance a hundred
times and not known him again. But his manner was remarkable, so wholly
simple and well-bred: he was courteous always, as suited his degree; but
he had something of the same assurance that she had noticed so plainly
in Father Campion. (He talked with a plain, Northern dialect.)
Presently she opened on that very point; for she could talk freely
before Janet.
"Did you ever know Father Campion?" she asked.
"I have never spoken with him, mistress. I have heard him preach. It was
that which put it in my heart to join the company."
"You heard him preach?"
"Yes, mistress; three or four times in Essex and Hertfordshire.
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