A Bicycle of Cathay - Page 81/112

"Now," said she, turning to me, "let us take a walk through the

orchard. I want to talk to you."

"No," said I, "I can't talk at present. I must go immediately to the

inn with those papers. It is right that not a moment should be lost in

delivering this most momentous message which has been intrusted to

me."

"But I must speak to you first," said she, and she walked rapidly

towards the orchard. As she still held the papers in her hand, I was

obliged to follow her.