Blackton had recovered from the blow that had dazed him.

Over Joanne's head he stared at Aldous.

And MacDonald was staring at Blackton.

His eyes were burning a little darkly.
"It's all come out right," he said, "but it ain't a special nice time o' night to be taking a' evening walk in this locality with a couple o' ladies!" Blackton was still staring at Aldous, with Peggy clutching his arm as if afraid of losing him.
It was Peggy who answered MacDonald.
"And it was a nice time of night for you to send a message asking us to bring Joanne down the trail!" she cried, her voice trembling.
"We----" began Aldous, when he saw a sudden warning movement on MacDonald's part, and stopped.

"Let us take the ladies home," he said.
With Joanne clinging to him, he led the way.