They went back to the colt. He had trampled about and got one leg over the line by which he was hitched. He squealed and arched his neck when they came near him. “He’s good,” Bale heard himself saying. “Got a lot of daylight under him, and a rather steep rump, but he’s a rare breedy stamp.”

“Mr. Fanning bought him in Emmetsburg,” Irene said. “Please hold Dazzle close to the fence. I’ll mount there.”

After he had aided her into the saddle, Bale still held the colt’s bit. He curried at the shining neck with stiff fingers.

“Tonight…” It strangled him—choking word—

Her face grew whiter and whiter. “I don’t know. I must think.”

“If Mrs. Wurke comes back, I will send her to Mummasburg. It’s farther from the line, and her relatives are terrified at the thought of invasion. She’ll be glad to go.”

“Don’t do that,” Irene commanded, sharply … She cried, “Oh, my hat—I did have one.”

Dan went back to the thicket and found the little felt hat with its white feather, a crushed morsel in the clover. The woman took it in her hand, and bowed.

“Irene,” he said.

“Goodbye—Dan.” She whirled the bay; he danced high on his hindlegs, shook his head, and blew a relieved snort from his nostrils. Then he rocked up the road at a frantic lope … Mrs. Fanning did not look back, but gave her full attention to holding Dazzle.

Bale went down the shady row to pick up his basket. He thought, Now that any peace is irretrievably gone, I could never wish it back. So hardy and alive; sensitive to this leaf and that pool of sunlight, hearing all sounds … who would believe that adultery was like this, like this? He thought, Tyler Fanning—I’ll pity him from now until Doomsday, but I can never hate him. Likely enough he’ll be past hating me. I’d fight for her, yes, I would even kill for her if I had to. This is not the same ravine through which I walked an hour ago; I have never seen it before … And get rid of Mrs. Wurke, poor creature. Give her money; send her away; get rid of her; there must be no interference, no intrusion upon my woman and me. I must lay plans, I must buy a team—if I could persuade Irene to leave with me tonight—walk out of this trivial existence, shed all memories, and never dwell in the past again.