While the man was distracted by the horses, Anne took the opportunity to observe him and reflect on what he had said. Now that her initial worry was gone, she was dreadfully curious as to why the two brothers didn't get along. They looked alike, but she could already tell from her short interaction with him that this Mr. Appleton was quite different from his brother. But she wondered if that was all there was to it. She couldn't ask, though.

Tobias returned, carrying a paper packaged under his arm. He put it in the back on the wagon. "There we go," he said, as he climbed back on. "Sorry. The mare is a little nervous. Thought she was a bargain, but should have known something was off. I think she's been ill-treated. She jumps easily," he explained, because of course farming topics were of interest to his brother.