’Areyoualone？’saidGertrude。SheseemedtobenolessharassedandanxiousthanBrookherself。
’Yes，’saidRhoda。
’Theplaceonmyarmseemsworse，andtroublesme！’theyoungfarmer’swifewenton。’Itissomysterious！Idohopeitwillnotbeanincurablewound。IhaveagainbeenthinkingofwhattheysaidaboutConjurorTrendle。Idon’treallybelieveinsuchmen，butI
shouldnotmindjustvisitinghim，fromcuriosity——thoughonnoaccountmustmyhusbandknow。Isitfartowherehelives？’
’Yes——fivemiles，’saidRhodabackwardly。’IntheheartofEgdon。’