But my little lady's words and the smile that accompanied them made up for it.
"Yes.

Come back early, Barry.

We shall feel short of a protector while you are away." And she held out her hand, which I kissed with a glare at the captain, who only laughed, and said,-- "Don't forget the provisions." Little I thought as I groped my way down the tumble-down staircase how many weary months were to elapse before I was to hold that gentle little hand in mine again.
I had reached the stables, and was rubbing down a spent horse, when I became aware that a woman was standing at the gate.

I recognised her at once as the woman who had pointed us out that morning when we entered our house, and my heart filled with forebodings as I saw her.
It was a relief when my employer presently ordered me to take a horse round to the house of a citizen in the suburbs.

The woman had gone when I started, and after half-an-hour's trot I almost dismissed her from my mind.