But Jasper did not keep to the straight way home.

First of all, he loitered to watch a reaping-machine at work; then he turned into a lane which led up the hill on which was John Yule's house.

Even if he had purposed making a farewell call, it was still far too early; all he wanted to do was to pass an hour of the morning, which threatened to lie heavy on his hands.

So he rambled on, and went past the house, and took the field-path which would lead him circuitously home again.
His mother desired to speak to him.

She was in the dining-room; in the parlour Maud was practising music.
'I think I ought to tell you of something I did yesterday, Jasper,' Mrs Milvain began.