"Hildreth!" I heard myself calling again, with a deep voice, a voice that sounded alien in my own ears....
"Come, boy!" and she pulled back her hand from my grasp, and catching mine in hers a moment, patted the back of it lightly—"come, don't let's be foolish ... we've had such a happy afternoon together, don't let's spoil it ... now let's start home."
As soon as I was on my feet and away from her, she became playful again. She reached up her hand for me.
"Help me up!"
I brought her to her feet with a strong, quick pull, and against my breast. But I did not dare do what I desired—take her in my arms and try to kiss her. She paused a second, then thrust me back.
"Look, the sun's almost gone down ... and Mubby and Darrie will be home a long time by this time ... and Mubby will be getting fidgety."
The sun's last huge shoulder of red was hulking like a spy behind a distant, bare knoll ... separate blades of grass stood up in microscopic yet giant distinctness, against its crimson background.
Our walk home was a silent, passively happy one that went without incident....
Penton and Darrie were indeed home before us.