As it was, he meant to withdraw as soon as he could do it without seeming to be afraid.
"Is this the first time you have taken a walk up this way ?" asked Hugh.
"The fact that I lost my way ought to answer that question; how far is it, please, to Bardstown ?" "An even mile by the path you came." "But I didn't come by any path, except for a short distance in front of this place." "Then how did you get here ?" "Is there no way of traveling through the woods except by the road that leads to your door ?" The conversation was between Harvey and Hugh alone.

Tom was abashed in the presence of two such persons, and nothing could have led him to open his mouth unless appealed to by one or the other.

Neither made any allusion to the strike.

After the superintendent's rebuff, Hugh scorned to do so, while Harvey would have stultified himself had he invited any discussion.

The repugnance between the two men was too strong for them calmly to debate any question.