"Oh, it's easy enough when you know the way. I was just coming to help you when you came over. You didn't hear me shout?"
"No. They were all making such a horrid noise." She suppressed a shudder.
"Have they gone now?"
"Yes, the brutes! They scooted. I'm going after them directly."
"Oh, please don't!" she said hastily. "Not for the world! I don't want to be left alone here. I've had enough of it."
She tried to smile with the words, but it was rather a trembling attempt.
He abandoned his intention at once.
"All right. It'll keep. Look here, shall I help you up? You'll feel better on the top."
"I think I had better stay here for a minute," Juliet said. "I—I'm afraid I shall make an idiot of myself if I don't."
"No, you won't. You'll be all right." He thrust an abrupt arm around her shoulders, gripping them hard to still her trembling. "Lean against me! I've got you quite safe."
She relaxed with a murmur of thanks. There was something intensely reassuring about that firm grip. She sat quite motionless for a space with closed eyes, gradually regaining her self-command.
In the end a snuffle and whine from above aroused her. She sat up with a start.