After dinner that first night Anthony proposed taking all his guests out upon the river in a big flat-boat he had rented. But when he made up the party Rachel was not to be found.
“I’m afraid she’s gone home,” said Juliet.
“I’ll run down and see,” proposed Lockwood instantly, and was suiting the action to the word when Cathcart got off ahead of him.
“I’ll have her back presently,” he called as he dashed down the road. “You people go on—we’ll catch you.”
“We’ll wait for you,” Lockwood shouted after him.
“Why should we wait?” demurred Marie, beginning to walk away toward the river.
“If we don’t he’s liable not to find it convenient to catch up with us,” Lockwood retorted.
“If they prefer their own company why not let them have it?” she said over her shoulder.
“Run along, Louis,” murmured Doctor Barnes. “One girl at a time.”
He turned to Juliet. “Shall we go?” he said.