Page:Barbour--Peggy in the rain.djvu/29

 asked anxiously. "Don't you think you'd better wait a few minutes?"

She shook her head. "I'm all right now, thanks," she replied, pulling her hat into place and smoothing herself with quick, deft touches. "I must really get back. They may think I've been struck by lightning." "At least let me go with you," he begged. "I'll walk along and keep a hand on the bridle."

But she shook her head. "You're very kind," she said firmly, "but it really isn't necessary. If you'll just give me a hand up"

He led the sorrel out through the wet undergrowth to the bridle path. The sun was out hot, and on every branch and spray quivering drops glittered like diamonds or shone like chrysoprase, limpidly green. The horse, nodding his sleek head, seemed eager to be away. Gordon looked to the girth, tossed the reins back and held his hands for a rather scuffed little brown boot. The girl settled herself in the saddle.

"I hope you'll be none the worse for it," said Gordon, arranging the skirt of the bedraggled habit. "I shall see you again, of course. Everybody meets here."