Joshua was the reverse of playful; the world was too important a concern for him to indulge in light moods.

He told her in decided, practical phraseology of the invitation.
'Now, Rosa, we must go--that's settled--if you've a dress that can be made fit to wear all on the hop like this.

You didn't, of course, think of bringing an evening dress to such an out-of-the-way place ?' But Rosa had come from the wrong city to be caught napping in those matters.

'Yes, I did,' said she.

'One never knows what may turn up.' 'Well done! Then off we go at seven.' The evening drew on, and at dusk they started on foot, Rosa pulling up the edge of her skirt under her cloak out of the way of the dews, so that it formed a great wind-bag all round her, and carrying her satin shoes under her arm.