"How very tragic," I said, sombrely.

 

"Oh, it was, sir. Some people say we farm people get used to animals being hurt

or killed, but that's just not true. My little boy cried for days. It's so good

you stopped for Nellie, sir. If you'd care to come in for a cup of tea, now that

you've got out and everything, you'd be most welcome. It would set you on your

way."

 

"That's most kind, but really, I feel I should continue. I'd like to reach

Salisbury in good time to take a look at the city's many charms."

 

"Indeed, sir. Well, thank you again."

 

I set off again maintaining for some reason perhaps because I expected further

farm creatures to wander across my path - my slow speed of before. I must say,

something about this small encounter had put me in very good spirits; the simple

kindness I had been thanked for, and the simple kindness I had been offered in

return, caused me somehow to feel exceedingly uplifted about the whole

enterprise facing me over these coming days. It was in such a mood, then, that I

proceeded here to Salisbury.

 

But I feel I should return just a moment to the matter of my father; for it

strikes me I may have given the impression earlier that I treated him rather

bluntly over his declining abilities. The fact is, there was little choice but