Festing remembered that Muriel had indicated the hall, which he understood was a well-built farm, as his stopping place. He wanted to go there, but thought there was some risk of its looking as if he meant to force his society on the girls. He took the path Helen indicated, and when he had gone some distance, stopped, hesitated, and then went on.
The girls noted this and Miss Jardine said: “I suppose he remembered that he has my sack, or else his heart failed him.”
Helen looked at her in surprise. “Did you forget?”
“I did not,” Miss Jardine admitted. “I thought I wouldn't spoil the plot. It looked as if he wanted an excuse for meeting us again, but I think I wronged him. That sudden stop was genuine.”
“The sack is yours,” said Helen dryly. “But you will need the things inside.”
“I imagine I will get them before long, although it doesn't seem to have struck him that my clothes are damp. It's rather significant that he went on when he could have run across the field and caught us up. Have you known him long?”
“I met him once,” said Helen with an impatient frown.
“Rather a good type,” Miss Jardine remarked. “I think I should like Canadians, if they're all like that.”
“He isn't a Canadian.”
“Then he hasn't been in England for some time, and so far as my knowledge goes, men like variety. Of course, to some extent, he saw us under a disadvantage. Mountaineering clothes are comfortable, but one can't say much more.”