Jerome recognized him as a young farmer who lived three miles or so out of the village.

He blushed and stumbled, with a kind of grim awkwardness, even before the simple girl delivering herself of her formula of welcome.

He would not sit down; he stood by the corner of a medicine-cupboard, settling heavily into his boots, waiting.
When the girl had gone he looked at Jerome, and gave a vague and furtive "Hullo!" in simple recognition of his presence, as it were.
He did not know who the boy was, never being easily certain as to identities of any but old acquaintances--not from high indifference and dislike, like the doctor, but from dulness of observation.
Jerome nodded in response to the man's salutation.

"I can't ask the doctor before him," he thought, anxiously.
The man rested heavily, first on one leg, then on the other.

"Been waitin' long ?" he grunted, finally.
"Quite a while." "Hope my horse 'll stan'," said the man; "headed towards home, an' load off." "The doctor can tend to you first," Jerome said, eagerly.
The man gave a nod of assent.