'Why shouldn't you go by the traction trailer? You enjoyed it that one
time?'

The traction engine, belonging to a stone quarry, passed two or three
times a week, and was never--the country being hilly--so full that it
could not accommodate a passenger.

It was therefore arranged that Edward should go and see the driver, and
afterwards see Hazel, and arrange for her to go to town also. He was to
stay at home. Mrs. Marston would never leave the house, as she said,
'without breath in it,' though she could give no reason for this idea,
and prided herself on having no superstitions. She would not trust
Martha by herself; so Edward was ruefully obliged to undertake the
office of 'breathing', like a living bellows to blow away harm.

It was settled that they were to go on the day before the flower-show,
and Hazel was to stay the night. It would be the last night but one
before the wedding.

Meanwhile, the bark-stripping continued, and fate went on leading Jack
Reddin's horse in every direction but the right one. Edward went to
Hunter's Spinney every day. He began to find a new world among the
budding hyacinths on the soft leafy soil, breaking up on every side
with the push of eager lives coming through, and full of those elusive,
stimulating scents that only spring knows.

* * * * *

When the day came for going to Silverton, and Hazel arrived fresh and
rosy from her early walk, he felt very rebellious. Still, it was