Young Gerard hurried to her and said, "Come this way," and he took her hand; but she snatched it quickly from him.
"Go, man!" she said. "Don't touch me. Go!"
"Don't be frightened of me," said Young Gerard gently.
Then she looked at him and whispered, "Oh—it is you—shepherd. I was trying to find you. I'm cold."
Young Gerard wrapped the cloak about her, and said, "Come with me. I'll make you a fire."
He took her back to the shed. But she did not go in. She crouched on the ground under the cherry-tree. Young Gerard moved about collecting brushwood. They scarcely looked at each other; but once when he passed her he said, "You're shivering."
"It's because I'm so wet," said Thea.
"Did you fall in the water?"
She nodded. "The floods were so strong."
"It's a bad night for swimming," said Young Gerard.