Beyond the first request to "step up," he vouchsafed no word and, save for an inarticulate gurgle to his horse, seemed lost in an ageless calm.

His gaze was fixed upon some indefinite portion of the horse's back and he drove leaning forward in an attitude of complete bodily and mental relaxation.

If his guest wished conversation it was apparent that he must set it going himself.
"Very warm day!" said Callandar tentatively.
"So-so." The farmer slapped the reins over the horse's flank, jerked them abruptly and murmured a hoarse "Giddap!" It was his method of encouraging the onward motion of the animal.
"Is it always as warm as this hereabouts ?" "No.

Sometimes we get it a little cooler 'bout Christmas." The doctor flushed with annoyance and then laughed.
"You see," he explained, "I'm new to this part of the country.

But I always thought you had it cooler up here." The manner of the rustic grew more genial.
"Mostly we do," he admitted; "but this here is a hot spell." Another long pause and then he volunteered suddenly: "You can mostly tell by Alviry.