"I'm going further, sir," said Frank. "I've done my job here."
The Major turned to the girl, and Frank caught the words, "What d'you say, Gertie?" There was a murmur of talk; and then the man turned to him again:
"If you've no objection, sir, we'll come with you. My good lady here is good for a mile or two more, she says, and we'd like some company."
Frank hesitated. He did not in the least wish for company himself. He glanced at the girl again.
"Very good, sir," he said. "Then if you'll wait here I'll be back in five minutes—I've got to get my belongings."
He nodded to the low farm buildings in the valley just below the village.
"We will await you here, sir," said the Major magnificently, stroking his mustache.
As Frank came back up the little hill a few minutes later, he had made up his mind as to what to say and do. It was his first experience of a gentleman-tramp, and it was obvious that under the circumstances he could not pretend to be anything else himself. But he was perfectly determined not to tell his name. None of his belongings had anything more than his initials upon them, and he decided to use the name he had already given more than once. Probably they would not go far together; but it was worth while to be on the safe side.
He came straight up to the two as they sat side by side with their feet in the ditch.