We stole round the end of the building, and on turning the
corner — she first — I felt her hold on me tighten for an instant,
and the next step I, too, heard distant voices, and the blows of a
spade upon the heavy soil, for the night was very warm and
still.
We had not spoken a word; we did not speak now. Touch was safer
and as expressive. She turned down towards the high road; I
followed. I did not know the path; we stumbled again and again, and
I was much bruised; so doubtless was she; but bodily pain did me
good. At last, we were on the plainer path of the high road.
I had such faith in her that I did not venture to speak, even
when she paused, as wondering to which hand she should turn. But
now, for the first time, she spoke:
'Which way did you come when he brought you her
