I lost him in the crowd then.

But later on in autumn, while rambling round the Chace, there came on a 'skit' of rain, and I made for one of his barns for shelter.
There was Hilary in the barn with his men, as busy as they could well be, winnowing oats.

It seemed to me that especial care was being taken, and on asking questions, to which the men silently replied with a grin, Hilary presently blurted out that the dust had to be carefully removed, because the grain was for the racing-stable.

The dainty creatures up there must have food free from dust, which makes them too thirsty.

The hay supplied, for the same reason, had to be shaken before being used.