"I can take an order, if that's what you want." Peter said it was not an order, and began chatting with the men.

Before he had started to question them, a third man, from inside the sheds, joined the group at the door.
"That cow's dead," he remarked as he came up.
"Is it ?" said the one called Bill.

Both rose, and went into the shed.
Peter started to go with them.
"You can't come in," said the new-comer.
But Peter passed in, without paying the least attention to him.
"Come back," called the man, following Peter.
Peter turned to him: "You are one of the employees of the National Milk Company ?" he asked.
"Yes," said the man, "and we have orders--" Peter usually let a little pause occur after a remark to him, but in this case he spoke before the man completed his speech.

He spoke, too, with an air of decision and command that quieted the man.
"Go back to your work," he said, "and don't order me round.

I know what I'm about." Then he walked after the other two men as rapidly as the dimness permitted.