“Well,” said Wolf, “I suppose we go this way, eh?” and he made a motion to turn to the right.

“Would⁠ ⁠… you⁠ ⁠… mind⁠ ⁠… Solent,” pleaded the man piteously, “if we went the other way? I could go alone⁠ ⁠… but⁠ ⁠… you know?⁠ ⁠… I’m feeling a little upset tonight⁠ ⁠…”

“Right you are, my friend!” said Wolf, with a sigh. “I daresay Gerda will forgive me. But I’m already a bit late; so let’s walk briskly! Why”⁠—he was already moving in the required direction, with the man’s arm in his own⁠—“do you want to go so far round?”

But Valley’s mind had reverted again to the scene at the grave.