[ He smiled. ]

You're very welcome. But I'm afraid I can't completely accept the compliment. I had an ulterior motive, you see.

[ With a little bow, as if to say mea culpa, he nodded toward the path north, lined with trees in varying stages of undress. Some still bore fall colors, and the fallen leaves of their kin crunched pleasantly underfoot. He liked autumn, even if he rarely had the opportunity to appreciate it. ]

It's this way.