No matter. While he thought it out, she was consenting. Presently a slender arm was passed round his neck. Having awaited only that, he began to wade cautiously shorewards. The distance lessened perceptibly, but he contemplated the decreasing interval without joy, for all that she was of an appreciable weight. For all burdens there are compensations.
Unconsciously, inevitably, her head sank toward his shoulder; he was aware of her breath, fragrant and warm, upon his cheek…. He stopped abruptly, cold chills running up and down his back; he gritted his teeth; he shuddered perceptibly.
"What is the matter?" she demanded, deeply concerned, but at pains not to stir.
Maitland made a strange noise with his tongue behind clenched teeth. "Urrrrgh," he said distinctly.
She lifted her head, startled; relief followed, intense and instantaneous.
"I'm sorry," he muttered humbly, face aflame, "but you … tickled."
"I'm—so—sorry!" she gasped, violently agitated. And laughed a low, almost a silent, little laugh, as with deft fingers she tucked away the errant lock of hair.
"Ass!" Maitland told himself fiercely, striding forward.
In another moment they were on dry land. The girl slipped from his arms and faced him, eyes dancing, cheeks crimson, lips a tense, quivering, scarlet line. He met this with a rueful smile.
"But—thank you—but," she gasped explosively, "it was so funny!"