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Chapter 5
Igotmybootsandtrouser-legsallwhitefromthedustoftheroad,andhitchedupmytrousers,tyingthemwithstringbelowtheknee.ThenIsettoworkonmyface.WithahandfulofdustImadeawater-markroundmyneck,theplacewhereMrTurnbull’sSundayablutionsmightbeexpectedtostop.Irubbedagooddealofdirtalsointothesunburnofmycheeks.Aroadman’seyeswouldnodoubtbealittleinflamed,soIcontrivedtogetsomedustinbothofmine,andbydintofvigorousrubbingproducedablearyeffect.
ThesandwichesSirHarryhadgivenmehadgoneoffwithmycoat,buttheroadman’slunch,tiedupinaredhandkerchief,wasatmydisposal.Iatewithgreatrelishseveralofthethickslabsofsconeandcheeseanddrankalittleofthecoldtea.InthehandkerchiefwasalocalpapertiedwithstringandaddressedtoMrTurnbull—obviouslymeanttosolacehismiddayleisure.Ididupthebundleagain,andputthepaperconspicuouslybesideit.
Mybootsdidnotsatisfyme,butbydintofkickingamongthestonesIreducedthemtothegranite-likesurfacewhichmarksaroadman’sfootgear.ThenIbitandscrapedmyfinger-nailstilltheedgeswereallcrackedanduneven.ThemenIwasmatchedagainstwouldmissnodetail.Ibrokeoneofthebootlacesandretieditinaclumsyknot,andloosedtheothersothatmythickgreysocksbulgedovertheuppers.Stillnosignofanythingontheroad.ThemotorIhadobservedhalfanhouragomusthavegonehome.