"It is useless; leave me to my fate."
"Hello! Who's that?" exclaimed Rutherford, as he caught the sound of a man's running. "Hello!"
"'Ullo, yourself," came back in the unmistakable English accent of Honey, who quickly came up, panting.
"It's Bow-Bells," said Rutherford. "Why are you running so?"
"To keep warm. I've run hup an' down the road, hand I cawn't see no signs of hany hinn or public."
"No; there is none near. But come with me. I am still your host, and I think I can make you at least measurably comfortable for the night in the billiard-house."
As they eagerly started to follow Rutherford, glad of any shelter, a voice was heard behind them hallooing, "Hi, there!" and brought them to a halt.
"Ha! ha!" laughed Rutherford, "if it isn't Wildfen! There has evidently been a general mutiny among the women."
"Where are you all going?" asked Wildfen, joining them. "Take me along, wherever it is."
"Come on quickly, then," replied Rutherford, leading the way, like the captain of a small skirmishing party, to the billiard-house.