The children exchanged bewildered glances; the explanation threw no light upon the stranger.
"We don't know what that means," said Jack, politely.
"That, too, I must tell you at some other time; but now I must get Eva to take me home—home to mummy, home to Clarissa Kenyon."
Greatly wondering, the trio moved towards the gate; but there Jack halted. Some instinct told him that just now he was not wanted, and much as he wished to know the end of this strange story, he determined to go home and wait till he saw Eva again.
He was a little piqued that his new acquaintance was apparently too much absorbed in his own thoughts to take any notice of his leaving, but Eva glanced back with a little nod.
"I'll be back directly dinner's over, Jack. Does you always walk as fast as this?" she went on, glancing up at her companion, whose long stride necessitated a quick trot on her part.
"When I'm in a hurry, Eva; and I'm in a hurry now," and then, dropping the little hot hand he held, he broke into a run, for coming down the lane towards them came Eva's mother, returning from a morning's work to dinner.
And then a strange thing happened, for Eva, who stood stock still with legs set rather far apart, saw mummy give a start backwards as if half frightened by something, then heard her break into a little cry, and the next moment she was caught into the stranger's arms and held tightly to his breast. She did not like such rough treatment! Eva was certain she did not like it, for mummy, who never cried, was sobbing with all her might, great big sobs as if she were angry or hurt. So Eva fled forward, anxious to defend, hammering with all the might of her young fists upon the assailant's legs.
"Let go, let go, you wicked, wicked man," she said. "Don't you see you are hurting my mummy and making her cry? Let go, I say," and the man did let go, smiling down at the child with eyes that were full of tears.
"You can ask mummy for yourself if I've hurt or made her glad," he said very gently.