So that, frankly, he fought shy of finding himself alone with Damaris again.

She seemed so constantly to betray him into ill-regulated feeling, ill-considered speech and action, which tended to endanger the completeness of his self-esteem.

Therefore, although admitting his attitude to be scantily heroic, he welcomed the prospect of the ferryman's chaperonage until such time as her father or her discarded lady-in-waiting, the innocent and pink-nosed Bilson, should effect his final deliverance.
"Yes, it is uncommonly hot," he repeated, while, with both arms extended, he worked to keep the side of the boat from bumping against the range of piles, backing it clear of the jetty into the fairway of the river.

He found exertion pleasant, steadying.
"Neither Miss Verity nor I shall be sorry to be saved the walk along that basting path.

That is," he added, smiling with disarming good-temper, "if we're not blocking business and keeping you too long away from the ferry." But Jennifer, mightily pleased at his company and having, moreover, certain scandalous little fishes of his own to fry--or attempt to fry--waved the objection aside.
The ferry could very well mind itself for a while, he said; and if anyone should come along they must just hold hands with patience till he got back, that was all.