After a time the car jolted up an uneven track. Kit saw a wet hillside and by and by white buildings behind bent ash trees. When the car stopped he knew they had arrived at Whinnyates, but Alison was visiting with friends and he would not meet her.
“I must help Joe tak’ in bags,” said the driver and blew his horn. “I doubt he does not hear us and you might gan to door. When we’re unloaded you’ll come home with me and wait for rain to blow off.”
Kit went up the path, but after a few moments he stopped and his heart beat. Alison came to the door and waved to the man in the road.
“Wait a moment, Jim; I’ll send Uncle Joe!”
Then she saw Kit and the blood came to her skin.
“Oh, Kit!” she said, “I didn’t know you were back!”
“It looks as if nobody knew,” Kit remarked with a twinkle, because he saw he must be cool. “When I arrived, half an hour since, the car was not at the station and your friend picked me up. I was going to his house.”
“If you go to Jim’s, my uncle will be much annoyed,” Alison replied. “But I must send him to unload the meal. Come in!”
“Perhaps I ought to thank your friend,” said Kit, and went back to the road, where Jim pulled a heavy bag from the car. Kit did not see Tyson and he seized the bag.
“Help me up with it! There’s no use in your getting wet.”