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At length Derriman reached a place where the road ran between high banks, one of which he mounted and paced along as a change from the hard trackway. Ahead of him he saw an old man sitting down, with eyes fixed on the dust of the road, as if resting and meditating at one and the same time.
The person who did not praise was the one who knew him best, who had known him as a boy years ago, when he had lived nearer to Overcombe than he did at present. This unappreciative person was the trumpet-major. At this time in the history of Overcombe one solitary newspaper occasionally found its way into the village. Derriman at the Hall, by whom it was handed on to Mrs.
On nearer view the group was seen to comprise a man on a piebald horse, and another man walking beside him. When they were opposite the house they halted, and the rider dismounted, whereupon a dispute between him and the other man ensued, apparently on a question of money. ''Tis old Mr. Derriman come home! said Anne. 'He has hired that horse from the bathing-machine to bring him. Only fancy!
He's within there. Festus flung his forehead in the direction of a right line towards the inner apartment. 'He's a regular sniche one. 'Hee, hee; fie, fie, Master Derriman! said Cripplestraw, shaking his head in delighted censure. 'Gentlefolks shouldn't talk so. And an officer, Mr. Derriman!
While all wondered who the singer could be somebody entered the porch; the door opened, and in came a young man, about the size and weight of the Farnese Hercules, in the uniform of the yeomanry cavalry. ''Tis young Squire Derriman, old Mr. Derriman's nephew, murmured voices in the background.
From the moment of parting with Festus Derriman a sentiment of revulsion from the act to which she had been a party set in and increased, till at length it reached an intensity of remorse which she could not passively bear. She had risen before day and hastened thitherward to know the worst, and if possible hinder consequences that she had been the first to set in train.
She murmured some soft words, ending with 'Do you repent? It would be superfluous to transcribe Bob's answer. Footsteps were heard without. 'O begad; I forgot! said Bob. 'He's waiting out there for a light. 'Who? 'My friend Derriman. 'But, Bob, I have to explain. But Festus had by this time entered the lobby, and Anne, with a hasty 'Get rid of him at once! vanished upstairs.
By this time the yeomanry of the district were also on the move, and among them Festus Derriman, who was sleeping at his uncle's, and had been awakened by Cripplestraw. About the time when Bob and his father were descending from the beacon the stalwart yeoman was standing in the stable- yard adjusting his straps, while Cripplestraw saddled the horse.
But as nothing but thin air met his fingers where the box had been, he turned, and found that the box was gone, Uncle Benjy having vanished also. Festus, with an imprecation, hastened to the door, but though the night was not dark Farmer Derriman and his burden were nowhere to be seen.
'Shall you want any more reading, Mr. Derriman? said she, interrupting the younger man in his remarks. 'If not, I'll go homeward. 'Don't let me hinder you longer, said Festus. 'I'm off in a minute or two, when your man has cleaned my boots. 'Ye don't hinder us, nephew. She must have the paper: 'tis the day for her to have 'n.
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