"Rather a lot," said Bunny uneasily. "Four hundred pounds at least, she said. I suppose it would be no good to write to Uncle Edward? He wouldn’t do it for the mother, I know, but he might for you."
"I couldn’t ask him," Maud said. "I might if it were for you or myself. But not for Mother. I am sure he wouldn’t do it."
"It’s a beastly mess," said Bunny gloomily. "You’ll have to get round Charlie, there’s no other way."
They reached the top of the hill, and she shook the reins. In sober silence they trotted home.
Jake was in the yard when they turned in. He came to meet them.
"I’ve had a fine scare about you," he said, as he helped Bunny to descend. "Were you caught in the storm?"
Sam Vickers came to the horse’s head, and Maud followed her brother down. Jake did not offer to assist her. He was wearing neither coat nor waistcoat, only a white canvas shirt with rolled up sleeves, unbuttoned at the neck and displaying a good deal of brawny chest. His clay pipe was between his teeth, and the pungent scent of his tobacco seemed even more nauseating than usual.
"No, we weren’t caught," Bunny made answer. "I was at ’The Anchor,’ and Maud took refuge with that old Wright woman who came here in the winter."
"What? Old Mother Wright?" Jake turned to his wife with a smile of approval. "Been having tea with her, have you? I’m real pleased to hear it. You couldn’t be in better company."
Maud stiffened a little. Somehow his approval nettled her. "I took the first shelter within reach," she said coldly.
Bunny stared at her as though astonished at something in her tone. Sharply Jake turned on him.
"You trot in, my son, and do your floor-drill!" he said. "You’ve got just two hours before supper."
Bunny coloured and flung away. "Oh, damn!" he said.
He was on the step with Maud immediately behind him when Jake’s voice arrested him. "Bunny!"
It was a perfectly quiet voice, but it was the voice of authority. Bunny stopped short. "Well?"
"You will do an extra half-hour for that after supper," Jake said.
Bunny faced round, his face crimson. "Oh, I say, Jake! That’s too bad. I didn’t mean to say it, and anyway I can’t do any extra time. It’s beastly enough as it is."
Bunny clenched his hands. "Dash it all, you can’t make me!" he said, his voice low and defiant.