sea-weed stuck in his whiskers, and a crust o' salt i' the chinks of
his mouth; an' his eyes, too, glarin' abroad from great rims o' salt.

"Off I sheered, not azackly runnin', but walkin' pretty much like a
Torpointer; an' sure 'nough the fellow stood up straight and began to
follow close behind me. I heard the water go squish-squash in his
shoon, every step he took. By this, I was fairly leakin' wi' sweat.
After a bit, hows'ever, at the corner o' Higman's store, he dropped
off; an' lookin' back after twenty yards more, I saw him standin'
there in the dismal grey light like a dog that can't make up his mind
whether to follow or no. For 'twas near day now, an' his face plain
at that distance. Fearin' he'd come on again, I pulled hot foot the
few steps between me an' home. But when I came to the door, I went
cold as a flounder.

"The fellow had got there afore me. There he was, standin' 'pon my
door-step--wi' the same gashly stare on his face, and his lips a
lead-colour in the light.

"The sweat boiled out o' me now. I quavered like a leaf, and my hat
rose 'pon my head. 'For the Lord's sake, stand o' one side,' I
prayed en; 'do'ee now, that's a dear!' But he wudn' budge; no, not
though I said several holy words out of the Mornin' Service.

"'Drabbet it!' says I, 'let's try the back door. Why didn' I think
'pon that afore?' And around I runs.

"There 'pon the back door-step was a woman!--an' pretty well as
gashly as the man. She was just a 'natomy of a woman, wi' the lines
of her ribs showin' under the gown, an' a hot red spot 'pon either