A Mountain Mist

Photography over, the next duties were to partake of lunch and to wander
round the small, and it must be confessed somewhat uninteresting little
village; then,--since the return home counted as one of the chief
attractions in the programme--the little party broke up into two, the
clergyman and his son preferring the longer route, round by the roads,
the other four to take the short--cut across the moors.

A five-mile walk across the moors! Given health, settled skies, and
congenial society, it would be difficult to name a more exhilarating
occupation for a summer afternoon; but, truth to tell, the weather had
taken a decided turn for the worse since midday, and it needed some
optimism to set forth on a long exposed walk.

The subject had been discussed at lunch with special reference to
Margot, as the only lady of the party; but, as she aptly observed, she
was bound to get back somehow, and, as a choice of evils, preferred to
walk through rain, rather than sit still to be soaked through and
through on the seat of the wagonette. It was therefore decided to make
an early start, and allow no loitering by the way; but when the village
had been left about a mile behind an unexpected delay occurred. The
Chieftain thrust his hands into his pockets, and stopped short in the
middle of the road, with an expression of dismay.

"Eh, what! Here's a fine kettle of fish! Where's my bunch of keys?
They were here as safe as houses, a few minutes back. I was jingling
tunes on them as we passed the school. You heard me jingling 'em!
Dropped them on the road, I suppose, and walked on like a blind bat.
Serves me right to have to turn back to find 'em. Can't lose my keys,
you know. Got to find them somehow, or there'll be the mischief to pay.
You'll have to go on, George, and take Miss Vane with you. There's no
time for conundrums, if you want to get home dry." He looked towards
Ron with questioning eyebrows. "Feel inclined to keep me company? I
don't fancy that walk by my lonesome."