They walked on slowly across the turf. The lights of the Manor-house twinkled at them friendly across the ha-ha. Ernie's heart, which had been hardening of late to meet Ruth's hardness, thawed at the touch of spring. The doors of his being opened and his love leapt forth in billows to surround her. The woman in front paused as if responding to that profound sub-conscious appeal. Ern did not hurry his pace; but she stayed for him in a pool of darkness made by the elms. Quietly he came up alongside. "Ruth," he began, shy and stealthy as a boy-lover. She did not answer him, but the moon lay on her face, firm-set. "Anything for me to-night?" He came in upon her with a quiet movement as of wings. She elbowed him off fiercely. "A-done!" she said. "You're not half-way through yet--nor near it." He pleaded, coaxing. "I am a man, Ruth." She was adamant. "It's just what you are not," she retorted. He knew she was breathing deep; he did not know how near to tears she was. "You was one time o day--and you might be yet.--You got to work your ticket, my lad." He drew back. She walked on swiftly now, passing out of Saffrons Croft into the road. He followed at some distance down the hill past the Greys to the _Star_ corner. A man standing there pointed. He turned round to see Joe pounding after him. "The tickets and badges coom to-night," the engineer explained. "A meant to have given you yours, as A did Mr. Geddes, at the meeting. But you got away. Good night! Friday! Three o'clock sharp! Don't forget." Ruth had turned and was coming swiftly back towards them. "Ain't you coming along then, Joe?" she called after him. "Not to-night, thank-you, Ruth. A got to square up afore we go." "I am disappointed," said Ruth disconsolately, and turned away down Borough Lane. Ernie came up beside her quietly. "That night!" he said. "Almost a pity you didn't stay where you was in bed and let Joe take my place alongside you." "Hap it's what I've thart myself times," Ruth answered sentimentally. "Only thing," continued Ernie in that same strangely quiet voice, "Joe wouldn't do it. D'is no fault of his'n. He is a man Joe is; even if so be you're no'hun of a woman." The two turned into the house that once had been their home. CHAPTER XXIV THE PILGRIMS Spring comes to Beachbourne as it comes to no other city of earth, however fair; say those of her children who after long sojourning in other lands come home in the evenings of their days to sleep.