"Yes," he said, "at once. But I shall come back in time to be married in August. It will only mean delaying our marriage a month."
They walked on a little way talking; every step he took James felt that he was a step nearer the Bowery slum. And when they came to the gate Bryden said:—
"I must hasten or I shall miss the train."
"But," she said, "you are not going now—you are not going to-day?"
"Yes, this morning. It is seven miles. I shall have to hurry not to miss the train."
And then she asked him if he would ever come back.
"Yes," he said, "I am coming back."
"If you are coming back, James, why not let me go with you?"
"You could not walk fast enough. We should miss the train."
"One moment, James. Don't make me suffer; tell me the truth. You are not coming back. Your clothes—where shall I send them?"