But the worst of it was that ignorant folk, unaware of their fastidiousness, scored to them the sheep they lost by lower-born marauders, and so were afraid to speak of it: and the issue of this error was that a farmer, with five or six hundred sheep, could never command, on his wedding-day, a prime saddle of mutton for dinner.
To return now to my Uncle Ben--and indeed he would not let me go more than three land-yards from him--there was very little said between us along the lane and across the hill, although the day was pleasant.

I could see that he was half amiss with his mind about the business, and not so full of security as an elderly man should keep himself.
Therefore, out I spake, and said,-- 'Uncle Reuben, have no fear.

I know every inch of the ground, sir; and there is no danger nigh us.' 'Fear, boy! Who ever thought of fear?
'Tis the last thing would come across me.

Pretty things those primroses.' At once I thought of Lorna Doone, the little maid of six years back, and how my fancy went with her.

Could Lorna ever think of me?
Was I not a lout gone by, only fit for loach-sticking?
Had I ever seen a face fit to think of near her?
The sudden flash, the quickness, the bright desire to know one's heart, and not withhold her own from it, the soft withdrawal of rich eyes, the longing to love somebody, anybody, anything, not imbrued with wickedness-- My uncle interrupted me, misliking so much silence now, with the naked woods falling over us.