He couldn't help putting a little feeling into his voice; he couldn't help being sorry for the girl. He could see she was dreadfully disappointed.
'I did not think they would be so hard,' she said, with something like a sob, and striving to keep back the tears; 'I had no idea that so much was required.'
Her voice was scarcely steady, and she finished up with a little wail—she couldn't keep it out of her voice—and she laid the papers down.
'You don't think you can do them?'
'No, I am sure I can't.'
'Not if you work hard—very hard?—you have three weeks before you—not if I help you?'
'You! Oh, Mr. Colville!'
The colour leaped back into her face, and her eyes brightened. She was quite trembling with eagerness.
'If you think with three weeks' hard work you can get through, I will help you,' he said.