'The gentleman had better come with us if he'll be so kind,' said
Thompson. 'I've brought a carriage for him.'

'But I may go with him?' said the wife, with frightened voice. 'I may
accompany my husband. He is not well, sir, and wants assistance.'

Thompson thought about it for a moment before he spoke. There was room
in the fly for only two, or if for three, still he knew his place better
than to thrust himself inside together with his prisoner and his
prisoner's wife. He had been specially asked by Mr Walker to be very
civil. Only one could sit on the box with the driver, and if the request
was conceded the poor policeman must walk back. The walk, however would
not kill the policeman. 'All right, ma'am,' said Thompson;--'that is, if
the gentleman will just pass his word not to get out till I ask him.'

'He will not! He will not!' said Mrs Crawley.

'I will pass my word for nothing,' said Mr Crawley.

Upon hearing this, Thompson assumed a very long face, and shook his head
as he turned his eyes first towards the husband and then towards the
wife, and shrugged his shoulders, and compressing his lips, blew out his
breath, as though in this way he might blow off some of the mingled
sorrow and indignation with which the gentleman's words afflicted him.

Mrs Crawley rose and came close to him. 'You may take my word for it he
will not stir. You may indeed. He thinks it incumbent on him not to give
any undertaking himself, because he feels himself so harshly used.'

'I don't know about harshness,' said Thompson, brindling up. 'A close