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She could hear Irani: whistling to the starling, and Hamilton stamping
amiably at tho hearth as he thrust his feet into his boots, the rain
had gone and the sun was shining on the fields. Te farm-houses and
the little roads of their neighbours could be seen again, the three of
them were happy and looked into each other’ll ayes when they spoke.
Hamilton ploughed in the field running down to the road, i’he earth
laid bare would be cleansed by the winter's frost. As his day's work
went forward, the light-heartedness of the morning left him. He was
perplexed and brooding again as he bent to the plough. At last the light
began to go and he pulled the plough into the side. As he shaved the
dry soil from his hands he spoke aloud to the horse. "Damn-4t-skin, what
affair is it o' mine if she marries him?" the animal turned it3 head
in mild wonder. He caught the horse by the mane and mounted. At the
head of the field he turned to look down on his day's work, the furrows
gleamed in the brittle evening light like fresh-combed hair.
