'Oh, how can I?' she said, dropping her eyes. 'No--don't--I'm
ashamed.'
'That's all right,' he urged, not unkindly. 'You'll have to get her
what the doctor orders, and it isn't likely you and Kate can afford
it.'
'You're always so kind, Richard. But I am--I am ashamed!'
'I say, Emma, why don't you call me Dick? I've meant to ask you that
many a time.'
She turned her face away, moving as if abashed.
'I don't know. It sounds--perhaps I want to make a difference from
what the others call you.'
He laughed with a sound of satisfaction.
'Well, you mustn't stand here; it's a cold night. Try and come
Tuesday or Wednesday.'
'Yes, I will.'
'Good night!' he said, and, as he held her hand, bent to the lips
which were ready.
Emma walked along the passage, and for some distance up the middle
of the street. Then she stopped and looked up at one of the black
houses. There were lights, more or less curtain-dimmed, in nearly
all the windows. Emma regarded a faint gleam in the topmost storey.
To that she ascended.
Mutimer walked homewards at a quick step, whistling to himself. A
latch-key gave him admission. As he went down the kitchen stairs, he
heard his mother's voice raised in anger, and on opening the door he
found that Daniel had departed, and that the supper table was
already cleared.
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