But the squire and John did not make progress in their conversation, and by the time they reached the gate they had yielded to an awkward silence.

They had both been annoyed because Mrs.Goddard had taken the vicar's arm instead of choosing one of themselves, but the joint sense of disappointment did not constitute a common bond of interest.

Either one would have suffered anything rather than mention Mrs.Goddard to the other in the course of the walk.

And yet Mr.Juxon might have been John's father.

At the gate of the cottage they separated.