He had no particular desire for company.
He also knew by instinct, practically for certain, that these two were neither husband and wife, nor father and daughter.

The type was obvious.
"I say, sir!" Frank turned as bucolically as he could.
"I say, sir--can you direct this lady and myself to a lodging ?" Frank had tried to cultivate a low and characterless kind of voice, as of a servant or a groom out of work.

He knew he could never learn the proper accent.
"Depends on what kind of lodging you want, sir." "What'd suit you 'ud suit us," said the Major genially, dropping the "sir." "I'm going further, sir," said Frank.

"I've done my job here." The Major turned to the girl, and Frank caught the words, "What d'you say, Gertie ?" There was a murmur of talk; and then the man turned to him again: "If you've no objection, sir, we'll come with you.

My good lady here is good for a mile or two more, she says, and we'd like some company." Frank hesitated.