Entering by way of the kitchen premises on that evening of his talk with Dot, he was surprised to find Adela fulfilling what had come to be regarded as Dot’s duties.  He looked around him questioningly as she emerged from the larder carrying a dish in one hand and a jug of milk in the other.

“Where’s the little ’un?” he said.

It was his recognized pet name for Dot, but for some reason Adela had never approved of it.  She frowned now at its utterance.

“Do you mean Dot?  Oh, mooning about somewhere, I suppose.  And leaving other people to do the work.”

Jack promptly relieved her of her burden and set himself to help her with her task.

Adela was not ill-tempered as a rule.  She smiled at him.  “Good man, Jack!  No one can say you’re an idler, anyway.  I’ve got rather a nice supper for you.  I shouldn’t wonder if Fletcher Hill turns up to share it.  I hear he is on circuit at Trelevan.”

“I heard it, too,” said Jack.  “He’s practically sure to come.”

“He’s very persistent,” said Adela.  “Do you think he will ever win out?”

Jack nodded slowly.  “I’ve never known him fail yet in anything he set his mind to—­at least, only once.  And that was a fluke.”

“What sort of a fluke?” questioned Adela, who was frankly curious.

“When Buckskin Bill slipped through his fingers.”  Jack spoke thoughtfully.  “That’s the only time I ever knew him fail, and I’m not sure that it wasn’t intentional then.”

“Intentional!” Adela opened her eyes.

Jack smiled a little.  “I don’t say it was so.  I only say it was possible.  But never mind that!  It’s an old story, and the man got away, anyhow—­disappeared, dropped out.  Possibly he’s dead.  I hope he is.  He did mischief enough in a short time.”

“He set the whole district humming, didn’t he?” said Adela.  “They say all the women fell in love with him at sight.  I wish I’d seen him.”

Jack broke into a laugh.  “You’d certainly have fallen a victim!”

She tossed her head.  “I’m sure I shouldn’t.  I prefer respectable men.  Shall we lay an extra plate in case Mr. Hill turns up?”

“No,” said Jack.  “Let him come unexpectedly!”

She gave him a shrewd look.  “You think Dot will like that best?”

He nodded again.  “Be careful!  She’s coming.  Here’s Robin!”

Robin came in, wagging his tail and smiling, and behind him came Dot.  She moved slowly, as if dispirited.  Jack’s quick eyes instantly detected the fact that she had been shedding tears.

“You’re too late, little ’un,” he said, with kindly cheeriness.  “The work is all done.”

She looked from him to Adela.  “I’m sorry I’m late,” she said.  “I’m afraid I forgot about supper.”

“Oh, you’re in love!” joked Adela.  “You’ll forget to come in at all one of these days.”

The girl gave her a swift look, but said nothing, passing through with a weary step on her way to her own room.