It was a long walk; thick clouds made the atmosphere dark, though it was as yet only early afternoon; and the wind howled dismally over the hills of the heath--not improbably the same heath which had witnessed the agony of the Wessex King Ina, presented to after-ages as Lear.

Gertrude Lodge talked most, Rhoda replying with monosyllabic preoccupation.

She had a strange dislike to walking on the side of her companion where hung the afflicted arm, moving round to the other when inadvertently near it.

Much heather had been brushed by their feet when they descended upon a cart-track, beside which stood the house of the man they sought.
He did not profess his remedial practices openly, or care anything about their continuance, his direct interests being those of a dealer in furze, turf, 'sharp sand,' and other local products.

Indeed, he affected not to believe largely in his own powers, and when warts that had been shown him for cure miraculously disappeared--which it must be owned they infallibly did--he would say lightly, 'O, I only drink a glass of grog upon 'em--perhaps it's all chance,' and immediately turn the subject.
He was at home when they arrived, having in fact seen them descending into his valley.