It was the keeper, he stood in the path like Balaam's ass, barring her way.
"How's this?" he said in surprise.
"How did you come?" she panted.
"How did you? Have you been to the hut?"
"No! No! I went to Marehay."
He looked at her curiously, searchingly, and she hung her head a little guiltily.
"And were you going to the hut now?" he asked rather sternly.
"No! I mustn't. I stayed at Marehay. No one knows where I am. I'm late. I've got to run."
"Giving me the slip, like?" he said, with a faint ironic smile.
"No! No. Not that. Only—"