He walked just before her in the narrow path, swinging the hurricane lamp low, revealing the wet grass, the black shiny tree roots like snakes, wan flowers. For the rest, all was grey rain-mist and complete darkness.
"Tha mun come to the cottage one time," he said, "shall ta? We might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb."
It puzzled her, his queer, persistent wanting her, when there was nothing between them, when he never really spoke to her, and in spite of herself she resented the dialect. His "tha mun come" seemed not addressed to her, but some common woman. She recognized the foxglove leaves of the riding and knew, more or less, where they were.
"It's quarter past seven," he said, "you'll do it." He had changed his voice, seemed to feel her distance. As they turned the last bend in the riding towards the hazel wall and the gate, he blew out the light. "We'll see from here," he said, taking her gently by the arm.
But it was difficult, the earth under their feet was a mystery, but he felt his way by tread: he was used to it. At the gate he gave her his electric torch. "It's a bit lighter in the park," he said; "but take it for fear you get off th' path."
It was true, there seemed a ghost-glimmer of greyness in the open space of the park. He suddenly drew her to him and whipped his hand under her dress again, feeling her warm body with his wet, chill hand.
"I could die for the touch of a woman like thee," he said in his throat. "If tha' would stop another minute."
She felt the sudden force of his wanting her again.
"No, I must run," she said, a little wildly.
"Ay," he replied, suddenly changed, letting her go.
She turned away, and on the instant she turned back to him saying: "Kiss me."
He bent over her indistinguishable and kissed her on the left eye. She held her mouth and he softly kissed it, but at once drew away. He hated mouth kisses,
"I'll come tomorrow," she said, drawing away; "if I can," she added.
"Ay! not so late," he replied out of the darkness. Already she could not see him at all.
"Good night," she said.
