Then the Angel came in sight of the forge, where Sandy Bright's brother was shoeing a horse for the carter from Upmorton. Two hobbledehoys were standing¹ by the forge staring in a bovine² way at the proceedings³. As the Angel approached these two and then the carter turned slowly through an angle of thirty degrees and watched his approach, staring quietly and steadily⁴ at him. The expression on their faces was one of abstract interest.

 

The Angel became self-conscious for the first time in his life. He drew nearer, trying to maintain an amiable⁵ expression on his face, an expression that beat in vain against their granitic⁶ stare. His hands were behind him. He smiled pleasantly, looking curiously⁷ at the (to him) incomprehensible employment of the smith. But the battery of eyes seemed to angle for his regard. Trying to meet the three pairs at once, the Angel[Pg 113] lost his alertness and stumbled over a stone. One of the yokels⁸ gave a sarcastic⁹ cough, and was immediately covered with confusion at the Angel's enquiring¹⁰ gaze, nudging his companion with his elbow to cover his disorder¹¹. None spoke¹², and the Angel did not speak.

 

So soon as the Angel had passed, one of the three hummed this

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