Frank hesitated. He did not in the least wish for company himself. He
glanced at the girl again.

"Very good, sir," he said. "Then if you'll wait here I'll be back in
five minutes--I've got to get my belongings."

He nodded to the low farm buildings in the valley just below the
village.

"We will await you here, sir," said the Major magnificently, stroking
his mustache.

* * * * *

As Frank came back up the little hill a few minutes later, he had made
up his mind as to what to say and do. It was his first experience of a
gentleman-tramp, and it was obvious that under the circumstances he
could not pretend to be anything else himself. But he was perfectly
determined not to tell his name. None of his belongings had anything
more than his initials upon them, and he decided to use the name he had
already given more than once. Probably they would not go far together;
but it was worth while to be on the safe side.

He came straight up to the two as they sat side by side with their feet
in the ditch.

"I'm ready, sir," he said. "Yes; you've spotted me all right."

"University man and public school boy," said the Major without moving.

"Eton and Cambridge," said Frank.

The Major sprang up.

"Harrow and the Army," he said. "Shake hands."

This was done.

"Name?" said the Major.

Frank grinned.

"I haven't my card with me," he said. "But Frank Gregory will do."

"I understand," said the Major. "And 'The Major' will do for me. It has
the advantage of being true. And this lady?--well, we'll call her my
wife."

Frank bowed. He felt he was acting in some ridiculous dream; but his
sense of humor saved him. The girl gave a little awkward bow in
response, and dropped her eyes. Certainly she was very like Jenny, and
very unlike.

"And a name?" asked Frank. "We may as well have one in case of
difficulties."

The Major considered.

"What do you say to Trustcott?" he asked. "Will that do?"

"Perfectly," said Frank. "Major and Mrs. Trustcott.... Well, shall we be
going?"

* * * * *

Frank had no particular views as to lodgings, or even to roads, so long
as the direction was more or less northward. He was aiming, generally
speaking, at Selby and York; and it seemed that this would suit the
Major as well as anything else. There is, I believe, some kind of
routine amongst the roadsters; and about that time of the year most of
them are as far afield