He had called himself her friend as well as cousin,
and was bound to protect her from evil, if protection were possible. But
he was adding to all her difficulties, because she pretended to be in love
with him. He knew that it was pretence; and yet, because she was pretty,
and because he was a man, he could not save her from herself. "It doesn't
do to be wiser than other men," he said to himself as he looked round
about on the bare hill-side. In the mean time he had altogether lost his
way.
It was between nine and ten when he reached the cottage. "Of course you
have dined?" said Herriot.
"Not a bit of it. I left before five, being sure that I could get here in
an hour and a half. I have been riding up and down these dreary hills for
nearly five hours. You have dined?"
"There was a neck of mutton and a chicken. She said the neck of mutton
would keep hot best, so I took the chicken. I hope you like lukewarm neck
of mutton?"
"I am hungry enough to eat anything; not but what I had a first-rate
luncheon. What have you done all day?"
"Stone and Toddy," said Herriot.
"Stick to that. If anything can pull you through, Stone and Toddy will.
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