Jenny said nothing for an instant. Then:
"I suppose that would be best," she said. "Shall we go up pretty soon? I expect we shall find him in the garden."
Jack winced a little. Jenny smiled at him openly.
"Best to get it over, Mr. Jack. I know it's like going to the dentist. But it can't be as bad as you think. It never is. Besides, you'll have somebody to hold your hand, so to speak."
"I hope I shan't scream out loud," observed Jack. "Yes, we'd better go—if you don't mind."
He stood up and waited. Jenny rose at once.
"I'll go and get a hat. Wait for me here, will you? I needn't tell father till this evening."
(II)
The park looked delicious as they walked slowly up the grass under the shade of the trees by the side of the drive. The great beeches and elms rose in towering masses, in clump after clump, into the distance, and beneath the nearest stood a great stag with half a dozen hinds about him, eyeing the walkers. The air was very still; only from over the hill came the sound of a single church bell, where some infatuated clergyman hoped to gather the lambs of his flock together for instruction in the Christian religion.
"That's a beauty," said Jack, waving a languid hand towards the stag. "Did you ever hear of the row Frank and I got into when we were boys?"