She donned a walking skirt and stout shoes, for the way to the river was rough, and set out. On the way she thought of many things, and chiefly of the man pacing his lonely walk back and forth behind windows that had steel bars on them.
Viola became aware of some one walking toward her as she neared the bend of the river whither Patrick had directed her, and a second glance told her it was the faithful Shag.
He bowed with a funny little jerk and took off his cap.
“Is the colonel there?” and she indicated what seemed to be an ideal fishing place among the willows.
“He was, Miss Viola, but he done gone now.”
“Gone? Where? Do you mean back to the house?”
“No'm. He done gone t' N'York.”
“New York?”
“Yes'm. On de afternoon train. He say he may be back t'night, an' mebby not 'twell mornin'.”
“But New York-and so suddenly! Why did he go, Shag?”