He wore a sweeping gown of dark thick stuff , lined and edged with yellowish fur , and he bowed a bent-down bow that made them feel both proud and ashamed . Then he looked at them steadily , and they stared back without doubt or fear . ` You are not afraid ? ' he said , running his hands through his splendid grey beard . ` Not afraid that those men yonder ' -- he jerked his head towards the incessant pop-pop of the guns from the lower woods -- ` will do you hurt ? ' ` We-ell ' -- Dan liked to be accurate , especially when he was shy -- ` old Hobd -- a friend of mine told me that one of the beaters got peppered last week -- hit in the leg , I mean . You see , Mr Meyer will fire at rabbits . But he gave Waxy Garnett a quid -- sovereign , I mean -- and Waxy told Hobden he 'd have stood both barrels for half the money . ' ` He does n't understand , ' Una cried , watching the pale , troubled face . ` Oh , I wish -- ' She had scarcely said it when Puck rustled out of the hollies and spoke to the man quickly in foreign words . Puck wore a long cloak too -- the afternoon was just frosting down -- and it changed his appearance altogether . ` Nay , nay ! ' he said at last . ` You did not understand the boy . A freeman was a little hurt , by pure mischance , at the hunting . ' ' I know that mischance ! What did his Lord do ? Laugh and ride over him ? ' the old man sneered . ` It was one of your own people did the hurt , Kadmiel . '
XXXXX 's eyes twinkled maliciously .
Garnett Hobd Kadmiel Puck Una afternoon beaters mischance pop-pop quid