"It's 'otter than it was yesterday," said the old man. "What ha' you
done to your face?"

"I was climbing a tree," said Flower, with a laugh, "and I fell down;
I've hurt my foot, too."

"Served you right if you'd broke your neck," said his amiable host,
"climbing trees at your time o' life."

"Nice cottage you've got here," said the persistent Flower.

"I wish you 'ad to live in it," said the old man.

He took a proffered cigar, and after eyeing it for some time, like a
young carver with a new joint, took out a huge clasp-knife and slowly
sawed the end off.

"Can I sleep here for the night?" asked Flower, at length.

"No, you can't," said the old man, drawing at his cigar.

He smoked on, with the air of a man who has just given a very clever
answer to a very difficult question.

"We ain't on'y got one room besides this," said the old woman solemnly.
"Years ago we used to have four and a wash-place."

"Oh, I could sleep on the floor here," said Flower, lightly. "I'll pay
you five shillings."

"Let's see your money," said the old man, leaning forward.

Flower put the sum in his hand. "I'll pay now," he said, heartily.

"The floor won't run away," said the other, pulling out an old leathern
purse, "and you can sleep on any part of it you like."

Flower thanked him effusively. He was listening intently for any sounds
outside. If the Tippings and the man in the gig met, they would scour
the country-side, and almost certainly pay the cottage a visit.

"If you let me go upstairs and lie down for an hour or two," he said,
turning to the old man, "I'll give you another half-crown."

The old man said nothing, but held out his hand, and after receiving the
sum got up slowly, and, opening a door by the fire-place, revealed a few
broken stairs, which he slowly ascended, after beckoning his guest to
follow.

"It's a small place," he said, tersely, "but I daresay you've often
slept in a worse."

Flower made no reply. He was looking from the tiny casement. Through
an opening in the trees he saw a couple of figures crossing the field
towards the wood.

"If anybody asks you whether you have seen me, say no," he said,
rapidly, to the old man. "I've got into a bit of a mess, and if you hide
me here until it has blown over, I'll make it worth your while."

"How much?" said the old man.

Flower hesitated. "Five pounds for certain," he said, hastily, "and
more if you're put to much trouble. Run down and stop your wif