“Well, I am positively sick of having my dad for a member of parliament. I never seem to have him to myself for five minutes on end. I don’t know where he has gone to, I’m tired and,––and I’m looking for some big, strong man to see me home up the hill. Would you mind, Jim?”
“No, indeed, Eileen! I would be glad to do so,––but unfortunately I have promised Thompson, the Government Agent, to stay here in charge till he gets back. But Phil here will see you home, and be delighted to do so. Eh, Phil?”
“Why––why, certainly! Only too pleased!” said Phil, although he could have punched Jim’s head for putting him in such a predicament. He half hoped that Eileen Pederstone would find an excuse, but instead, she accepted the proffered service without demur.
They started off immediately. Neither spoke for a hundred yards or so, for a constraint seemed to be holding both back; the one did not know of anything fitting to say, and the other had so much to say that she was at a loss to know how or where to begin.
Womanlike, Eileen was first to break the silence.
“I was sorry, Mr. Ralston, that you were too busy to come to our place to-night––or, I should say, last night, for it is morning now.”
“I wasn’t exactly too busy,” returned Phil frankly. “I walked the hills for the good of my health, and I enjoyed myself splendidly.”
“Oh!––I thought––I thought you would be sure to come, if only for daddy’s sake,––unless something serious would prevent you,” said the young lady slowly.
It was dark and impossible for either one to see the other clearly, so they had to be guided by the voice alone.