She sprang to the road. "Percival!" and followed him.
He turned at the sound of her feet; and at the look on his face she stopped.
"Well?" he demanded. "Well? What is it now?"
"You have left your hat," she said. "I will bring it to you."
Some wit that came to her gave her these ordinary words in place of questioning him, and he came back to her quickly. "I don't want my hat," he told her. He looked up towards Mr. Hannaford. "I'm sorry I pulled you up like that. I want to walk, that's all. I'm going along the Ridge—to stretch my legs."
"There's something wrong with 'ee," said Mr. Hannaford. "What is it, boy?"
"Nothing. I want a walk, that's all."
Mr. Hannaford pointed across the Ridge. "There's a storm coming up. Best ride."
"I'll be home before that." He turned and went slowly towards a gate that gave to the fields approaching the downside. Ima hesitated and then went swiftly after him as he fumbled with the latch.
"Percival, I will walk with you."