Ralph nods, that made sense, and her family would probably start looking for her if they were gone too long.

He checks the time before replying, "What if we did just a short walk now, an' got back before lunch? Then, if you want, we can go for a little longer after an' be back before dark?"

Ralph didn't know what was in the forest, it probably wasn't too dangerous, but it was still a bad idea to be out in an unfamiliar place after dark.