“Is it a bad road, or are there tramps, or--anything? Oh, Martha!” the other said, in a voice which sounded very clear, though subdued.
“Oh, nonsense, Emmy! It’s just like any other road. It’s a bit dark and steep to begin with. But there’s nothing to be frightened of.”
“Oh, why did I stay so late!” said the other. “How silly of me not to think! No lamps, nor--nor shops, nor people. I never was out on a country road in the dark. Oh, why didn’t I think--”
“Don’t be silly! It’s as safe as safe; there’s never no accidents here.”
“You had better keep your friend with you all night, Martha; my mother will not mind.”
“Oh!--but _my_ mother, sir! she would go out of her senses wondering what had come to me.”
“Emmy, don’t be a silly. I tell you it’s as safe--”
“I have nothing particular to do,” said Walter, good-humoredly. “Since she is so frightened I will walk with her as far as the turnpike. You can see the lights of the village from there.”
“Oh, Mr. Walter, I couldn’t let you take that trouble. I’d rather go with her myself. I’ll run and get Jarvis. I’ll--”
“You need not do anything. It’s turned out a lovely night,” said Walter, “and I shall be all the better for the walk.”
It was all settled in a moment, before he himself knew what was being done, with the carelessness, the suddenness which sometimes decides an all-important event. Walter was seized just at the moment when his own evil fortune seemed overwhelming, when fate seemed to be laying hold on him, with a force which nothing could resist. He was seized by a kind impulse, a good-natured wish to be of use to somebody, to escape from himself in this most legitimate, most virtuous way, by doing something for another. He was pleased with himself for thinking of it. A sense of being good came into his mind, with a little surprise and even amusement such as only an hour ago would have seemed impossible to him. It was like what his mother or one of the girls might have done, but such impulses did not occur readily to himself. He walked round toward the gate by which Martha and her friend stood and whispered together. Martha he could see did not like it; she was shocked to think of her young master having the trouble. The trouble! that was the thing that made it pleasant. He felt for the moment delivered from himself.