So young a girl cannot
take long walks alone. If one of your fellow-students were with you,
it would be different."
"I would not walk with one of them now for the world."
"Not with Miss Oliphant?"
"With her least of all."
"That is a pity," said Hammond gravely, "for no one can feel more
kindly toward you."
Prissie made no response.
They walked to the end of the High Street.
"This is your way," said Hammond, "down this quiet lane. We shall get
to St. Benet's in ten minutes."
"I am not going there. Good-by, Mr. Hammond."
"Miss Peel, you must forgive my appearing to interfere with you, but
it is absolutely wrong for a young girl, such as you are, to wander
about alone in the vicinity of a large university town. Let me treat
you as my sister for once and insist on accompanying you to the gates
of the college."
Prissie looked up at him. "It is very good of you to take any notice
of me," she said after a pause. "You won't ever again after-- after
you know what I have been accused of. If you wish me to go back to St.
Benet's, I will; after all, it does not matter, for I can go out by
and by somewhere else."
Hammond smiled to himself at Prissie's very qualified submission. Just
then a carriage came up and drove slowly past them.
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