It didn't seem at all foolish to him, only indiscreet.
"I hired a registered guide. He was to show me the temple of—of Kwan-te, I believe. Anyhow, he assured me it would be perfectly safe—and, knowing that it wasn't, but rather enjoying the idea, I went. But I didn't see the temple. There was a street fight between some Chinese and Brahmins—Chinese and Brahmins do fight, don't they? In the confusion my guide disappeared. Perhaps he joined in or ran—I suspect the latter. I was so frightened when I found myself alone—and I—well, I walked a short distance—and then—then I saw you."
He realized he ought to say something to fill in the gap that followed, but he was not a man given to much conversation and for the time nothing suggested itself. Finally:
"I hope you've learned a lesson"—grimly.
She laughed, and the nervous note had gone from her voice. Again he thought of cool monsoon showers.
"I'm afraid I'm incorrigible! Now that I'm safe, I think I really enjoyed it. Being a man, you'll disapprove."
"Thoroughly," he responded.
Conversation lagged for a brief spell. The girl took it up.
"You see, Mr.—"
She stopped and he supplied: