They held him, however, in a certain reverence.
That early morning he had already done a good two hours' work in connection with broad beans, of which he grew, perhaps, the best in the whole county, and had knocked off for a moment, to examine a spider's web.

This marvellous creation, which the dew had visited and clustered over, as stars over the firmament, was hung on the gate of the vegetable garden, and the spider, a large and active one, was regarding Tod with the misgiving natural to its species.

Intensely still Tod stood, absorbed in contemplation of that bright and dusty miracle.

Then, taking up his hoe again, he went back to the weeds that threatened his broad beans.

Now and again he stopped to listen, or to look at the sky, as is the way of husbandmen, thinking of nothing, enjoying the peace of his muscles.
"Please, sir, father's got into a fit again." Two little girls were standing in the lane below.