Twenty minutes afterward the Abercrombies, equipped for a mountain walk, swinging their alpenstocks, started off, accompanied by a guide.
"Won't you reconsider your determination and go?" asked the father.
Sharpley shook his head.
"I don't feel equal to the exertion," he answered.
"I hope you'll have a pleasant excursion, Henry," said Frank, looking wistfully after his young friend.
"It would be pleasanter if you were going along," said Henry.
"Thank you."
Frank said no more, but waited till Sharpley had smoked another cigar. By this time twenty minutes had elapsed.
"I think we'll go now, Frank," said Sharpley.