“There now, I’m out of tea and I wanted Athelny to go down to Mrs. Black’s and get some.” A pause, and then her voice was raised: “Sally, just run down to Mrs. Black’s and get me half a pound of tea, will you? I’ve run quite out of it.”
“All right, mother.”
Mrs. Black had a cottage about half a mile along the road, and she combined the office of postmistress with that of universal provider. Sally came out of the hut, turning down her sleeves.
“Shall I come with you, Sally?” asked Philip.
“Don’t you trouble. I’m not afraid to go alone.”
“I didn’t think you were; but it’s getting near my bedtime, and I was just thinking I’d like to stretch my legs.”
Sally did not answer, and they set out together. The road was white and silent. There was not a sound in the summer night. They did not speak much.
“It’s quite hot even now, isn’t it?” said Philip.
“I think it’s wonderful for the time of year.”
But their silence did not seem awkward. They found it was pleasant to walk side by side and felt no need of words. Suddenly at a stile in the hedgerow they heard a low murmur of voices, and in the darkness they saw the outline of two people. They were sitting very close to one another and did not move as Philip and Sally passed.