Drawn by an irresistible curiosity, she rushed back to the front of the
house. Under the yew-tree she ran into Vessons.

'Sh!' he whispered. 'Say nought! I'll tell you what's a mortal good
thing for a dog-fight--pepper!' He held up the kitchen pepper-pot. In
the other hand he had the poker.

'Now I'll part 'em, missus, you see!'

'Quick, then!'

But as she spoke Reddin got in a blow on Edward's jaw, and he fell.

Hazel rushed forward.

'You murderer!'--she screamed, and she bit Reddin's hand as he
stretched it out to catch her, and bent over Edward. The victor in the
fight was fated to be the loser with Hazel, for she had a never-broken
compact with all creatures defeated.

She ran to the pool for water.

'Catch a holt on him!' she cried to Vessons; 'he's a murderer!'

Reddin stood by, confused and mystified at Hazel's unlooked-for
behaviour. Vessons bent over Edward. He struck a match and held it to
the end of his nose, chuckling as Edward winced.

'I'll tell you summat as is mortal tough!' he remarked. 'A minister of
the Lord! Will the gen'leman stay supper?' he inquired of Reddin.