Just for a moment a look of hesitation crept into his brother’s eyes. He glanced across the river as though he were yearning to accept the invitation. But, a moment later, his eyes came back to his brother with a look of almost cold decision.
“I’m afraid I can’t,” he said. Then he added, “I’ve got something to see to—in the village.”
Bill made no attempt to question him further, and Helen had no desire to. She felt that she had somehow blundered, and her busy mind was speculating as to how.
They parted. And as Charlie moved on he called back to Bill.
“I’ll be back soon. Will you be home?”
“I can be. In an hour?”
Charlie nodded and went on.
The moment they were out of earshot Helen turned to her lover.
“Say, Bill,” she exclaimed. “What have I done wrong?”
The laughter had gone out of her eyes and left them full of anxiety.