from the town, and Morton, as he got over the last stile, saw
Lawrence Twentyman coming towards him on the road. The man, no
doubt, had gone all the way into Dillsborough with the girls, and
was now returning home. The parish of Bragton lies to the left of
the high road as you go into the town from Rufford and the
direction of London, whereas Chowton Farm, the property of Mr.
Twentyman, is on the right of the road, but in the large parish of
St. John's, Dillsborough. Dillsborough Wood lies at the back of
Larry Twentyman's land, and joining on to Larry's land and also to
the wood is the patch of ground owned by "that scoundrel Goarly".
Chowton Farm gate opens on to the high road, so that Larry was now
on his direct way home. As soon as he saw Morton he made up his
mind to speak to him. He was quite sure from what had passed
between him and the girls, on the road home, that he had done
something wrong. He was convinced that he had interfered in some
ill-bred way, though he did not at all know how. Of Reginald Morton
he was not in the least jealous. He, too, was of a jealous
temperament, but it had never occurred to him to join Reginald
Morton and Mary Masters together. He was very much in love with
Mary, but had no idea that she was in any way above the position
which she might naturally hold as daughter of the Dillsborough
attorney. But of Reginald Morton's attributes and scholarship and
general standing he had a mystified appreciation which saved him
from the pain of thinking that such a man could be in love with his
sweetheart. As he certainly did not wish to quarrel with Morton,
having always taken Reginald's side in the family disputes, he
thought that he would say a civil word in passing, and, if
possible, apologise. When Morton came up he raised his hand to his
head and did open his mouth, though not pronouncing any word very
clearly. Morton looked at him as grim as death, just raised his