“The roads are rough for walking this time of the year,” observed he.
“Yes,” said Jeffreys; “I’ve walked all the way.”
“Good exercise,” said Mr Halgrove. “How long did it take you?”
“I left Bolsover at half-past four this morning.”
Mr Halgrove looked at his watch.
“Fifteen hours—a fairly good pace,” said he.
A silence ensued, during which time guardian and ward remained eyeing one another, the one curiously, the other anxiously.
“Why not sit down,” said Mr Halgrove, when it became evident his ward was not going to open the conversation, “after your long walk?”
Jeffreys dropped heavily into the chair nearest to him and Julius came up and put his head between his knees.
“Do you often take country walks of this sort?” said the guardian.