The next day, I woke up with mixed feelings in my mind. I was happy to go back to James and the alluring promise of a hunting expedition, but at the same time, I was still loath to take leave of my dear young woman. Well, it could not be helped. I had to return and that morning too or the old boy would be very anxious and might think that I had gotten lost or something worse.

I went to the river to have my bath as usual. I thought I would find my young woman there, but to my disappointment, only a few older women were present. I...