XX

           Forasecond,assheapproachedhim,thequicktremorofherglanceshowedherallintentonthesamethoughtashimself.Hetransmittedhisinstructionswithmechanicalprecision,andsheansweredinthesametone,repeatinghiswordswiththeintensityofattentionofachildnotquitesureofunderstanding.Thenshedisappearedupthestairs.

           Darrowlingeredoninthehall,notknowingifshemeanttoreturn,yetinwardlysureshewould.Atlengthhesawhercomingdowninherhatandjacket.Therainstillstreakedthewindowpanes,and,inordertosaysomething,hesaid:“You’renotgoingtothelodgeyourself?”

           “I’vesentoneofthemenaheadwiththethings;butIthoughtMrs.Leathmightneedme.”

           “Shedidn’taskforyou,”hereturned,wonderinghowhecoulddetainher;butsheanswereddecidedly:“I’dbettergo.”

           Heheldopenthedoor,pickeduphisumbrellaandfollowedherout.Astheywentdownthestepssheglancedbackathim.“You’veforgottenyourmackintosh.”

           “Isha’n’tneedit.”

           Shehadnoumbrella,andheopenedhisandhelditouttoher.Sherejecteditwithamurmurofthanksandwalkedonthroughthethindrizzle,andhekepttheumbrellaoverhisownhead,withoutofferingtoshelterher.

           Rapidlyandinsilencetheycrossedthecourtandbegantowalkdowntheavenue.TheyhadtraversedathirdofitslengthbeforeDarrowsaidabruptly:“Wouldn’tithavebeenfairer,whenwetalkedtogetheryesterday,totellmewhatI’vejustheardfromMrs.Leath?”

           “Fairer——?”Shestoppedshortwithastartledlook.