And the two walked on again in silence, till they neared the head of the village.
Then Grace went forward, like Nausicaa when she left Ulysses, lest the townsfolk should talk; and Tom sat down upon a bank and watched her figure vanishing in the dusk.
Much he puzzled, hunting up and down in his cunning head for an explanation of the mystery.

At last he found one which seemed to fit the facts so well, that he rose with a whistle of satisfaction, and walked homewards.
Evidently, her mother had stolen the belt; and Grace was, if not a repentant accomplice--for that he could not believe,--at least aware of the fact.
"Well, it is a hard knot for her to untie, poor child; and on the strength of having saved my life, she shall untie it her own way.

I can wait.

I hope the money won't be spent meanwhile, though, and the empty leather returned to me when wanted no longer.

However, that's done already, if done at all.