In silence they set out along the cart-track which skirted the verge of the trees.
To break the silence was exactly what Rodney wished to do, and yet could not do to his own satisfaction.

In company it was far easier to approach Katharine; alone with her, the aloofness and force of her character checked all his natural methods of attack.

He believed that she had behaved very badly to him, but each separate instance of unkindness seemed too petty to be advanced when they were alone together.
"There's no need for us to race," he complained at last; upon which she immediately slackened her pace, and walked too slowly to suit him.

In desperation he said the first thing he thought of, very peevishly and without the dignified prelude which he had intended.
"I've not enjoyed my holiday." "No ?" "No.

I shall be glad to get back to work again." "Saturday, Sunday, Monday--there are only three days more," she counted.
"No one enjoys being made a fool of before other people," he blurted out, for his irritation rose as she spoke, and got the better of his awe of her, and was inflamed by that awe.
"That refers to me, I suppose," she said calmly.
"Every day since we've been here you've done something to make me appear ridiculous," he went on.