Gertie said nothing.
* * * * * She made up for it, soon after dark had fallen, by quite suddenly collapsing into a hedge, and announcing that she would die if she didn't rest.

The Major made the usual remarks, and she made no answer.
Frank interposed suddenly.
"Shut up," he said.

"We can't stop here.

I'll go on a bit and see what can be done." And, as he went off into the darkness, leaving his bundle, he heard the scolding voice begin again, but it was on a lower key and he knew it would presently subside into a grumble, soothed by tobacco.
* * * * * He had no idea as to the character of the road that lay before him.

They had passed through a few villages that afternoon, whose names meant nothing to him, and he scarcely knew why, even, they were going along this particular road.