"You take the paddle," he said. "My arm's damaged. But I can pull on the rope with the other."
"Are you sure? Are you all right? What's your name?"
"Yes, I can manage. My name's Peter. This would have been a lark thirty years ago, wouldn't it? It's rather a lark now."
She nodded vaguely, wondering what she would do if he fell off the log in mid-water.
"Suppose you faint again?"
"Don't look for trouble," said the man. "Push off, now."
Pulling and paddling they got to the bank. He took her helping-hand up it, and she saw by his movements that he was very feeble. He leaned on her as they went back to the mill; they walked without speaking.
When they reached the door Peter said, "It's twenty years since I was here, but I expect you don't remember."
"Oh, yes," said Helen, "I remember."
"Do you now?" said Peter. "It's funny you should remember."