he went to prod jonas green also , lying curled in the shade of a tree , but green , who had so far been the most reliable of the men , did not stir but only moaned ; and after prodding again , forthing turned to laurence and said , low , `` sir , if you would - `` across the clearing , rankin looked away from caesar 's side , where he had been adjusting a strap , and said frowning , `` what are you about , there ?