"But I was anxious for you."
"You shouldn't have been," she said gently. "Mr. Belding told me that you wanted him to come to the house when things were at their worst, but he didn't like leaving you. Now tell me, are the works starting up again?"
Clark drew a long breath. "I'll know very soon."
"Then you'll settle down just like before, and it will be all a bad dream?"
"Perhaps I will." His voice lifted a little.
"You're not going away?"
That was what he had come here to decide, and there flashed into his mind a curious conception that was both fanciful and reassuring.
"Forget about the works for a moment; I want to ask you something."
"But do I know?" She smiled doubtfully.
"Yes, you'll know without any question whatever. It's the case of a man who worked very hard, and he didn't work for money or glory, or anything of that kind, but just because he loved it and couldn't help it."