“To get me to make you a promise?”
“Yes.”
“So tricking me into toting you on my back was part of that scheme?”
“Yes. I—knew I had to—interest you in myself—so that you would pay attention to my arguments. I thought that the more trouble I was to you—well, I had to do something—to——”
“You did it. I am not angry, but pleased. Do you mind if I ask if you have always lived in the country around here?”
“I was away at school for a few years.”
She dropped behind and silence was resumed. It was maintained for nearly half an hour; and then she came abreast of him again and halted him with a hand on his arm.
“Here we are,” she whispered. “Just through there. Not thirty yards away. Good night. And you will go to-morrow. So it is good-by.”
He took both her mittened hands in his and stared hard at her upturned face, trying to find something there for the discernment of which the light was insufficient.
“Good night,” he said in guarded tones. “And good morning; and, as I must go away to-morrow, to-day, good-by.”