“Good-morning. I have brought your breakfast. Very homely diet, but the best we can offer you here.”
“Never mind. What time do we start?” She had a rare knack of finding awkward questions.
“The guide is not come yet,” I answered, conscious that my pause would rouse her suspicions.
“But I cannot wait long.”
“That’s true enough.” I spoke the thought aloud, unwittingly.
“What does that mean?” Very sharply asked, this.
“I can’t answer any questions yet. I have to think.”
The reply appeared to offend her, and her eyes flashed as she drew herself up with a gesture of authority and constraint. She was turning back into the hut when she caught sight of some stains on my clothes.
“That is—blood?” She paused before the word.
“Yes, it’s blood. I didn’t know it was there.”