"Something of the sort," I nodded. "Will you be so kind as to tow
us to the bank yonder?"
"Hanythink to hoblige!" he grinned, and having made fast the painter,
proceeded to splash us to terra-firma. Which done, he grinned again,
waved his hat, and splashed upon his way. I made the boat secure
and turned to Lisbeth. She was staring away towards the weir.
"Lisbeth," I began.
"I thought just now that - that it was the end!" she said, and
shivered.
"And at such times," I added, "one sometimes says things one would
not have said under ordinary circumstances. My dear, I quite
understand-quite, and I'll try to forget - you needn't fear."
"Do you think you can?" she asked, turning to look at me.
"I can but try," I answered. Now as I spoke I wasn't sure, but I
thought I saw the pale ghost of the dimple by her mouth.
We walked back side by side along the river-path, very silently,
for the most part, yet more than once I caught her regarding me
covertly and with a puzzled air.
"Well?" I said at last, tentatively.
"I was wondering why you did it, Dick? Oh, ii was mean! cruel!
wicked! How could you ?"
"Oh, well"-and I shrugged my shoulders, anathematising the Imp
mentally the while.
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