id nothing--for carriers don't
talk; they carry--but his manner would have betrayed his incredulity.
And Brantock was no more of a Sadducee than his betters. Who could have
believed that that afternoon Widow Thrale and Granny Marrable went away
in opposite directions, the former to her own mother, the latter to Mrs.
Picture's grandchild, amid the utter ignorance of all concerned? Yet the
facts of the case were just as we have stated them, and no one of the
incidents that brought them about was in itself incredible.

Brantock was not told anything at all about anything, and did not
himself originate a single remark, except that the rain was holding off.
It may have been. His horse appeared to have read the directions on all
the parcels, choosing without instruction the most time-saving routes to
their different destinations, and going on the moment they were paid
for. In fact, Mr. Brantock had frequently to resume his seat on a cart
in motion, at the risk of his life. When they arrived at the passenger's
destination, the horse looked round to make quite sure she was safe on
the ground, and then started promptly. His master showed his superiority
to the mere brute creation, at this point, by saying, "Goodnight,
mistress!" The horse said nothing.

Widow Thrale had only expected to hear a mixed report of the success of
her convalescent's visit, so she was not disappointed. It gradually came
out that Seth and Toby had at first glared suspiciously at one another;
the former, as the host, refusing to shake hands; the latter denying his
identity, saying to him explicitly:--"_You_ ain't the woman's little
boy!" They had then dissimulated their hostility, in order to mislead
their introducers. They had even gone the length of affecting readiness
to play together, in order that they might take advantage of the absence
of authority to arrange a duel without seconds. This was interrupted,
not because the unrestrained principals could injure each other--they
were much too small and soft to do that--but in order to do justice to
civilised usage, which defines the relations of host and guest; crossing
fisticuffs, even pacifisticuffs, off their programme altogether, and
only countenancing religion and politics with reservations. Being
separated, each laid claim to having licked the other. In which they
followed the time-honoured usage of embattled hosts, or at least of
their respective war correspondents. They then became fast friends t