I gazed around in some perplexity up to the sky, where the rosy tints were fading from the fleecy clouds, and then back into his face for inspiration. "If you are riding that way," I said, "I will ask you to send me a carriage from there."
He laughed a merry, good-tempered laugh, as though a child had asked for the moon, and again reminded me of our distance from civilization.
"Can you walk five kilometres?" he asked, with such a serious look upon his face that I smiled with amusement.
"Of course," I answered; "do you take me for an old woman?"
"No," he cried, with boyish emphasis; "only I thought, perhaps—"
"Perhaps I was one of those poor creatures to whom exertion is purgatory. Show me the road, please."
"It is the one I am taking myself."
"Which, although an interesting announcement, scarcely suffices to indicate the direction," I murmured.
"I mean, if you will permit, we will walk together."
"For the moment, at least," I cried, "circumstances have made the highway our joint property: then let us share companionship for mutual benefit;" and I drew my cloak about my shoulders, while he, laughing a strange little laugh, as though he scarcely understood me, swung his horse's bridle on his arm, and we strolled along together.