said Herbert, 'if you really must insist
on it. But honestly, Lawford, we both think that after what the last few
days must have been, it is merely common sense to take a rest. How can
you possibly rest with a dozen empty rooms echoing every thought you
think? There's nothing more to worry about; you agree to that. Send
your people a note saying that you are here, safe and sound. Give them a
chance of lighting a fire, and driving in the fatted calf. Stay on with
us just the week out.'

Lawford turned from one to the other of the two friendly faces. But what
was dimly in his mind refused to express itself. 'I think, you know,
I--' he began falteringly.

'But it's just this thinking that's the deuce--this preposterous habit
of having continually to make up one's mind. Off with his head, Grisel!
My sister's going to take you for a picnic; we go every other fine
afternoon; and you can argue it out with her.'

Once alone again with Grisel, however, Lawford found talking
unnecessary. Silences seemed to fall between them as quietly and
restfully as evening flows into night. They walked on slowly through the
fading woods, and when they had reached the top of the hill that sloped
down to the dark and foamless Widder they sat down in the honey-scented
sunshine on a knoll of heather and bracken, and Grisel lighted the
little spirit-kettle she had brought with her, and busied herself very
methodically over making tea.

That done, she clasped her hands round her knees, and sat now gossiping,
now silent, in the pale autumnal beauty. There was a bird wistfully
twittering in the branches overhead, and ever and again a withered leaf
would slip circling down from the motionless beech boughs arched in
their stillness above their heads beneath the thin blue sky.

'Men, you know,' she began again suddenly, starting out of reverie,
'really are absurdly blind; and just a little bit absurdly kindly
stupid. How many times have I been at the point of laughing out at my
brother's delicious naive subtleties. But you do, you will, understand,
Mr Lawford, that he was, that we are both "doing our best"--to make
amends?'

'I understand--I do indeed--a tenth part of all your kindness.'

'Yes, but that's just it--that horrible word "kindness"! If ever there
were two utterly self-absorbed people, without a trace, with an absolute
horror of kindness, it is just my brother and I. It's most of it false
and most of it useless. We all surely must t