He was standing in that half-circle where the trees have been cut.

Now I knew that Bethel, if he had gone straight in the direction of the cottage, must have met Thorn quitting it.

'Did you encounter that hound ?' I asked him.

'What hound ?' returned Bethel.

'That fine fellow, that Thorn, who comes after Afy,' I answered, for I did not mind mentioning her name in my passion.
'I don't know any Thorn,' returned Bethel, 'and I did not know anybody was after Afy but yourself.' 'Did you hear a shot ?' I went on.