Any further controversy being now out of the question, Short was fain to part with Mr Grinder and his
pupils and to follow his morose companion. After lingering at the finger-post for a few minutes to see
the stilts frisking away in the moonlight and the bearer of the drum toiling slowly after them, he blew a
few notes upon the trumpet as a parting salute, and hastened with all speed to follow Mr Codlin. With
this in view he gave his unoccupied hand to Nell, and bidding her be of good cheer as they would soon
be at the end of their journey for that night, and stimulating the old man with a similar assurance, led
them at a pretty swift pace towards their destination, which he was the less unwilling to make for, as the
moon was now overcast and the clouds were threatening rain.