He was obviously intelligent, and on the whole she approved his unconventional point of view.

Conventional insincerities were the rule at Tarnside.

Besides, although it was possible she ought not to talk to the man with such freedom, her foot hurt and the stile made a comfortable seat.

She liked to watch the shadows quiver on the stream and hear the current brawl among the stones.

This was an excuse for stopping, since she would not acknowledge that the young farmer's society had some charm.
After a moment or two he resumed: "It is not my business, anyhow, and I don't want to argue if otter-hunting is a proper sport; it's an advantage, so to speak, to stick to the point.