“Tally ho! Run to earth!” was the squire’s greeting, as, with Wolf at his elbow, he came up unobserved to where the little priest was standing. “Afternoon, Valley! Should have thought this sort of thing wasn’t in your line; eh? what? Too many horsey rascals about? Too many rowdy young men, eh?”

If Wolf was astonished at Mr. Urquhart’s familiar tone, he was still more astonished at the expression on the face of the nervous clergyman.

Stammeringly Mr. Valley found his tongue.

“Fine horses⁠ ⁠… more of them than usual⁠ ⁠… did you see that grey one?⁠ ⁠… the Otters are here⁠ ⁠… they drove over⁠ ⁠… I walked⁠ ⁠… so did others⁠ ⁠… many others⁠ ⁠… it would be nice if there were seats here⁠ ⁠… don’t you think so?⁠ ⁠… seats?”