Follow a Stranger

actions,” he said, reverting to his teasing. “For a girl

who came so calmly through a violent storm, shrugged

off the possibility of rape with the utmost scorn and has

been so level-headed and sensible all day—you amaze

me! Who would have thought you would jib at rats!”

She could not control the quick shiver which ran over

her. “I ... I don’t like them,” she said.

/>

“Obviously,” he nodded. “But they are clever little

creatures, you know. I would have expected you to be

kinder about them, such animal lovers are the English!”

She saw that he was attempting to put things back

on a normal footing, and tried to respond. “They’re like

some men,” she said, lightly, “clever but loathsome!”

He grinned. “Present company excepted, I hope?”

Kate laughed. “Did that come too near home?”

He grimaced. “I’ll get some straw and make a bed on

the floor.”

Within ten minutes they were both lying on warm

dry straw, near the hearth, covered by a heap of thick

blankets.

The room was dark, except for the glow of the fire,

and Kate felt her eyes growing heavy. She could feel

every little movement Marc made, hear his regular

breathing. How strange, she thought sleepily, to be here

like this with him. She giggled at the thought of what

Miss Carter would say if she could see them.

“What’s funny?” Marc asked softly, turning his head

towards her.

She told him, still laughing.