The farmer led on with his plodding country step, burdened shoulders, and ruddy-fowled, serious face, not speaking to Rhoda, who had no desire to hear a word from him, and let him be.

Mary Ann steered him and called from behind the turnings he was to take, while she speculated aloud to Rhoda upon the nature of the business that had torn Dahlia from the house so inopportunely.
At last she announced that she knew what it was, but Rhoda failed to express curiosity.

Mary Ann was driven to whisper something about strange things in the way of purchases.

At that moment the farmer threw up his umbrella, shouting for a cab, and Rhoda ran up to him,-- "Oh, father, why do we want to ride ?" "Yes, I tell ye!" said the farmer, chafing against his coat-collar.
"It is an expense, when we can walk, father." "What do I care for th' expense?
I shall ride." He roared again for a cab, and one came that took them in; after which, the farmer, not being spoken to, became gravely placid as before.

They were put down at Boyne's Bank.