He got out slowly. He was overcome with wretchedness and guilt, but her pointed chin was held high and her face was obstinate.
“Thank you very much,” said Sergeant Gray, and turning drearily commenced his lonely walk back to camp.
He could hear her behind him backing and turning in the narrow street. He plodded on, cursing himself. If he had had any sense and had got out and let her think he was going somewhere——
The lights of the car were close behind him now. When they were abreast he heard the grinding of the brakes as it stopped.
“I don’t want to be disagreeable,” said the girl, beside him. “I suppose you did want some one to talk to. I’ll take you back if you like.”
“I’d better not bother you any more.”
Suddenly she laughed. In the light from a street lamp she had caught her first real glimpse of his face.
“Wherever did you get that eye?” she demanded.
“Fighting,” he said shortly. “We had a roughhouse at the barracks last night.”
“I should think you were going to have enough trouble soon without getting beaten up like that,” she said with a touch of severity. “Well, are you going to get in?”