He had not said a word to Gertie, nor she to him, and he was totally taken by surprise when, after the first soft crash of bells for evening service, she had suddenly thrown herself round face forward among the grasses and burst out sobbing.
"My dear girl!" said Frank, "whatever's the matter ?" Then he stopped.
* * * * * Fortunately, the procession of worshipers had run dry, and the two were quite alone.

He sat upright, utterly ignorant of what to say.

He thought perhaps she was in pain ...

should he run for the Major or a doctor ?...
Then, as after a minute or two of violent sobbing she began a few incoherent words, he understood.
"Oh! I'm a wicked girl ...

a wicked girl ...