"Perfectly," said Frank. "Major and Mrs. Trustcott.... Well, shall we be going?" * * * * * Frank had no particular views as to lodgings, or even to roads, so long as the direction was more or less northward. He was aiming, generally speaking, at Selby and York; and it seemed that this would suit the Major as well as anything else. There is, I believe, some kind of routine amongst the roadsters; and about that time of the year most of them are as far afield as at any time from their winter quarters. The Major and Mrs. Trustcott, he soon learned, were Southerners; but they would not turn homewards for another three months yet, at least. For himself, he had no ideas beyond a general intention to reach Barham some time in the autumn, before Jack went back to Cambridge for his fourth year. "The country is not prepossessing about here," observed the Major presently; "Hampole is an exception." Frank glanced back at the valley they were leaving. It had, indeed, an extraordinarily retired and rural air; it was a fertile little tract of ground, very limited and circumscribed, and the rail that ran through it was the only sign of the century. But the bright air was a little dimmed with smoke; and already from the point they had reached tall chimneys began to prick against the horizon. "You have been here before?" he said. "Why, yes; and about this time last year, wasn't it, Gertie? I understand a hermit lived here once." "A hermit might almost live here to-day," said Frank. "You are right, sir," said the Major. * * * * * Frank began to wonder, as he walked, as to why this man was on the roads. Curiously enough, he believed his statement that he had been in the army. The air of him seemed the right thing. A militia captain would have swaggered more; a complete impostor would have given more details. Frank began to fish for information. "You have been long on the roads?" he said. The Major did not appear to hear him. "You have been long on the roads?" persisted Frank. The other glanced at him furtively and rather insolently. "The younger man first, please." Frank smiled. "Oh, certainly!" he said. "Well, I have left Cambridge at the end of June only." "Ah! Anything disgraceful?" "You won't believe me, I suppose, if I say 'No'?" "Oh! I daresay I shall." "Well, then, 'No.'" "Then may I ask--?" "Oh, yes! I was kicked out by my father--I needn't go into details. I sold up my things and came out. That's all!" "And you mean to stick to it?" "Certainly--at least for a year or two."