He meant to remain at the Hollow for the night; he had much to talk over with Ned, many arrangements to make, fifty things to see to; and so he and Cuthbert, and Mr. Croft, who had declined the hospitality of Kemms’ Park, were all to stay in the now deserted-looking rooms until the following morning, while Alick returned to town by the latest night-train from Palinsbridge.
It was necessary for him, if he wished to catch this train, to start away from Berrie Down before nine o’clock; and while the young man was out in the yard impressing this fact on Ned’s comprehension, Mr. Croft came and stood beside him.
It was a moonlight night, stormy but still fine. The wind blew great masses of clouds over the moon’s face, and then swept it clean and bright again.
“You will have rather a rough drive over,” Mr. Croft remarked; and Alick, backing the pony into the shafts, sulkily answered, “Yes, it looks like it.”
“Can Ned not harness the pony for you?” was the next question.
“If he tried very hard, perhaps he might,” Alick replied.
“Perhaps he will be good enough to try hard, then,” said Mr. Croft; “and perhaps you would have the kindness to walk a few yards with me down the Lane. I want to speak to you.”
“To me?” repeated Alick, in surprise.
“Yes; to you, particularly,” was the reply.
“I will bid Arthur ‘good-night,’ and be with you directly,” the other agreed; and accordingly in a few minutes Mr. Croft and he were walking along Berrie Down Lane, past the pond, and under the elms and beeches that sheltered the road beyond.