But that day had held a long series of petty annoyances; and here was a really important thing kept from them as if they were mere outsiders.

When Weary was gone, Irish asked Pink what crime Dunk had committed in the past.

And Pink shook his head and said he didn't know.

Irish mentally accused Pink of lying, and his temper was none the better for the rebuff, as anyone can readily understand.
When the herders, therefore, rounded up the sheep and started them moving south, the Happy Family speedily rebelled against that shuffling, nibbling, desultory pace that had kept them long, weary hours in the saddle with the other band.

But it was Irish who first took measures to accelerate that pace.
He got down his rope and whacked the loop viciously down across the nearest gray back.