He tried to open the door. It was locked. He turned away and sat down on the doorstep.
'I'll wait here,' he told her. 'I'll wait all day and all night if I have to.'
But there is nothing harder than an indefinite waiting. He saw that Sanchia still sat upon her white mare where he had left her, that her head was bent, and she seemed to be in a profound study. Now and then he heard Helen; she appeared to be re-arranging their scant furnishings. Ten minutes passed. He called softly:
'Aren't you coming out, Helen?'
'Presently.' By now Helen had commanded and subdued her agitation entirely to her own satisfaction. 'I know it seems rude, but I simply must get a few things done.'
'What sort of things? Can't I help you?'
'Help?' She laughed. 'Men are such funny animals when it is a matter of helping indoors.
Sanchia had just said men were such fools. Well, come right down to it, he was rather inclined to accept the statement as largely true. And women were so utterly beyond comprehension.
'Anyway, can't I just come in and watch you?'
He wondered why she should seem so highly amused.