You see those telegraph posts?
That is the road which leads direct to the Hall." She was still looking at the island, watching the waves break against a little stretch of pebbly beach.
"I should like very much," she said, "to see that house.

Can you not take me out there ?" He shook his head.
"We could not get so far in this punt," he said, "and my sailing boat is up at the village quay, more than a mile away." She frowned a little.

She was not used to having any request of hers disregarded.
"Could we not go to the village," she asked, "and change into your boat ?" He shook his head.
"I am going fishing," he said, "in a different direction.

Allow me." He stepped on to land and lifted her out.

She hesitated for a moment and felt for her purse.
"You must let me recompense you," she said coldly, "for the time you have lost in coming to my assistance." He looked down at her, and again she had an uncomfortable sense that notwithstanding his rude clothes and country dialect, this man was no ordinary villager.