Just before Mr…
source date: 1891
availability: public-domain

Just before Mr. Hardy sat down to dinner, he happened to look out of the window, and saw the son go into a barn with a shotgun in his hands. The stealthy manner put the peddler on his guard, and he took good care that his own gun was within reaching distance. He quickly swallowed a cup of coffee, took a few mouthsful of bread and slipped what he could into his pockets. Then he prepared to leave.