‘It can’t be very far, can it?’ she said. ‘And then perhaps a car passing might help us.’
He struck a match and lit the lamps—their light comforted them a little—and took out his map and studied it.
As he feared, this obscure and attractive cart-track was not to be found on it, nor was the group of solitary cottages.
Far away to the north, in some distant trees, an owl hooted. It had the effect of making them feel more lost than ever.
‘I think we’d better stay where we are,’ he said.
‘And hope some one may come along?’
‘Yes. We’ll have the lights on. They ought to be seen for miles round. Somebody may wonder what they’re doing up here, not moving. There’s just a chance. People are so damned incurious, though,’ he added.
‘Especially if being curious would mean walking up here in the dark.’
She tried to talk in her usual voice, but it was difficult, for she was aghast at the misfortune that had overtaken them.
‘Perhaps if you shouted——?’ she suggested.