“She kin, for all of me, but it don’t make her nothin’ else. I hear somebody comin’”—her voice fell to a terrified whisper. “Oh, lordy, I hope it ain’t a tramp.”
It was Mr. Rogers. His anxious face appeared above the rubbish, and I spoke immediately.
“What a relief!” he exclaimed, as he picked his way toward us. “I heard voices and hoped you might be here.”
“It is good to see you,” I said. “How do you happen to be down in the valley?”
“It was just after the first rumble that I met Rolfs coming out of the forest. He told me you had passed him and I immediately got an umbrella, told the Duke I was going in search of you, and started off. I have been quite alarmed, and am more relieved than I can say.”
I smiled and gave him my hand, when my sales-lady remarked drily:
“Well, as three’s a crowd and it ain’t rainin’ any more I guess I’ll waltz. Pleased to meet you, Lady Helen. I kin alwus see a real flesh and blood Lady of the nobility now when I’m readin’ the ‘Herald’ or —— —— ——’s[A] lovely novels. Good-bye. Hope you’ll git up the mountin O. K.” And she took herself and her feathers out of the ruin.
“I think we had better start for home,” said Mr. Rogers. “Your brother and Lady Agatha will be so anxious.”
“But you must be tired——”
“Not in the least. Do you think no one can walk but the English?” This with a smile and intonation that took all abruptness out of it.