Her disappointment grew upon her for an hour, then she could no longer keep back the tears; because she had no place in which to weep, she began to walk away from the hotel down the line.

There was no one to notice her going; she was as free to go and come as the wild canaries that hopped upon the budding bramble vines growing upon the railway embankment, or the blue-breasted swallows that sat on the telegraph wire.
At first she only walked to hide her tears; then gradually the purpose formed within her to go on to the break in the road.

There was no reason why she should not go to see the mishap.

Truly there had been many a breakdown on this road before and Zilda had never stirred foot to examine them, but now she walked on steadily.

Her fear told her that Gilby might find some means of getting on to the next station, some engine laden with supplies for the workmen from the other station might take him back with it.