The amount of tobacco which he had smoked since his return
to these parts, exactly in that spot, was considerable, for there
he might have been found at some period of the afternoon at least
three times a week. He would sit on this rail for half an hour
looking down at the sluggish waters of the little river, rolling
the smoke out of his mouth at long intervals, and thinking perhaps
of the great book which he was supposed to be writing. As he sat
there now, he suddenly heard voices and laughter, and presently
three girls came round the corner of the hedge, which, at this
spot, hid the Dillsborough path,--and he saw the attorney's three
daughters.
"It's Mr. Morton," said Dolly in a whisper.
"He's always walking about Bragton," said Kate in another whisper.
"Tony Tuppett says that he's the Bragton ghost"
"Kate," said Mary, also in a low voice, "you shouldn't talk so much
about what you hear from Tony Tuppett."
"Bosh!" said Kate, who knew that she could not be scolded in the
presence of Mr. Morton.
He came forward and shook hands with them all, and took off his hat
to Mary. "You've walked a long way, Miss Masters," he said.
"We don't think it far. I like sometimes to come and look at the
old place."
"And so do I. I wonder whether you remember how often I've sat you
on this rail and threatened to throw you into the river?"
"I remember very well that you did threaten me once, and that I
almost believed that you would throw me in.
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