He led her away, and they walked across the flat and through the paddock
in silence. It seemed to Harry that she had forgotten their avowals of
love. Her attitude frightened him, he dreaded lest she should be on the
eve of a serious illness; he had sore misgivings and tortured himself
with many doubts. Her words rang in his head with damnable iteration: 'I
deceived them all. I lied to every body.'

Maori welcomed them under the firs, capering heavily and putting himself
very much in the way, but with the best intentions. Summers came to the
verandah and greeted Chris with warmth.

'Eli, but ye're pale, lassie,' he said, having drawn her into the light.

'Take her in,' whispered Harry; 'she's quite worn out.'

'Will ye no come in yersel'?'

'No, no, thanks. Come back here, Mr. Summers; I want to speak to you.'

Summers led the girl into the house and returned after a few moments.

'What's happened tae the girl? She's not herself at all,' he said.

'Her father's been taken.'

'Ay, have they got him? Weel, 'twas sure to be.'

''Twas she who hid him, but he went light-headed with some sickness, an'
the police came down on him. She feels it awfully, poor girl, being alone