His wife, a slip of a girl, loaded with bundles, gave Jonah a quick look of fear and scorn.

The man stared Jonah full in the face without a sign of recognition, and bent his head over the child with a caressing movement.

Jonah noted the look of humble pride in his eyes, and marvelled.

Twelve months ago he was Jonah's rival in the Push, famous for his strength and audacity, and now butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.

Jonah called to mind other cases, with a sudden fear in his heart at this mysterious ceremony before a parson that affected men like a disease, robbing them of all a man desired, and leaving them contented and happy.