During the first part of their walk together some mutual instinct prevented them from referring to the scene they had just witnessed; but at last, when they had reached Pond Lane, Valley burst out:

“I hope you’re right⁠ ⁠… from a secular point of view⁠ ⁠… about my not interfering just now, Solent. From my own point of view I shall find it⁠ ⁠… hard⁠ ⁠… yes, very hard⁠ ⁠… no, I don’t mean that⁠ ⁠… did I say hard? I meant that I shall find it⁠ ⁠… very⁠ ⁠… you know, Solent?⁠ ⁠… very shameful⁠ ⁠… to⁠ ⁠… to⁠ ⁠… forgive myself!”

They were walking now where the hedges were very high and thick. Wolf began to experience a confused exhaustion, that seemed to weigh upon his head as well as upon his arms and legs. It was as though a knot had been tied in the recesses of his being, which interfered with the flow of his blood. A heavy, inert apathy settled down upon him, which he vaguely associated with these high hedges. “It would have been ridiculous to meddle,” he said. “You’d have done no good. Do you know, Valley, I think I’d like to rest for a minute!”