If Hilda could have seen him that night she would probably have wept without difficulty, but for a much more superficial reason than the reason why she could not weep in London.

And it came about in this way.
On the morning after the dinner Peter was moody, and declared lie would not go down to the office, but would take a novel out to the canal.

He was in half a mind to go up and call at the hospital, but something held him back.

Reflection showed him how near he had been to the fatal kiss the night before, and he did not wish, or, with the morning, he thought he did not wish, to see Julie so soon again.

So he got his novel and went out to the canal, finding a place where last year's leaves still lay thick, and one could lie at ease and read.