He had the awkwardness of feeling, that, whether he would or no, he was obliged to intrude upon them.

He noticed they were not walking near together; but when one is tramping and picking steps as best one can in mud that is hidden in darkness, it is, perhaps, more natural that two people on a wide road should give one another a wide berth.

At any rate, for a minute all three were making their way through puddles and over rough places in silence.

Then, when Alec thought he had got a few paces in advance, he heard the lady speak again, and of himself.
"Did you think you knew that man ?" There was no answer.

Alec felt angry with her companion that he should dare to sulk so obviously.