I had a dim recollection of having passed a road which seemed to turn to the left, but I had been thinking very earnestly, and had paid little attention to it.

Probably that road was the main road and this the one which turned off.
I determined to investigate.

It would not do to wander out of my way with my present encumbrance.

It was now somewhat after noon; the country people were eating their dinners or engaged about their barns; there was nobody upon the road.

At some distance ahead of me was a small house standing well back behind a little group of trees, and I decided to go there and make inquiries.