Lloyd looked around, and, with a sensation of relief, saw that Kitty had Phil safely in tow.

She would be free as far as The Beeches, at any rate.

At a call from Elise, Mary ran back to join her.

Positions were being constantly shifted on the homeward way, just as they had been before, and, looking around, Lloyd decided that she would slip back presently with some of the others, who would not think that two is company and three a crowd, as Bernice might be doing.

The backward glance nearly caused her a fall, for a big root in the path made her ankle turn, and Alex Shelby's quick grasp of her elbow was all that saved her.
"It was my fault, Miss Lloyd," he insisted.