Silence fell between them, each having eyes upon the other. Something drew each to each, something repelled each from each. It was a question, between those forces, which would gain. Alexander did not feel strange with Ian, nor Ian with Alexander. It was as though they had met before. But how they had met and why, and where and when, and what that meeting had entailed and meant, was hidden from their gaze. The attractive increased over the repellent. Ian spoke.
"There's none down there but my uncle and his sister, my aunt. Come on down and let me show you the place."
"I do not care if I do." He rose, and the two went along the hilltop and down the path.
Ian was the readier in talk. "I am going soon to Edinburgh—to college."
"I'm going, too. The first of the year. I am going to try if I can stand the law."
"I want to be a soldier."
"I don't know what I want.... I want to journey—and journey—and journey ... with a book along."
"Do you like books?"
"Aye, fine!"
"I like them right well. Are there any pretty girls around here?"