Then he walked thoughtfully back to Ruth, who had resumed her work.
"It's all right," he said shyly.
She lifted her face to him slowly, almost stealthily.
Then there flashed a lovely light into her eyes.
"Thank-you, Mr. Boots," she said.
He advanced a step on her.
"That ain't my name."
She hid again in her work.
"What is then?" she asked.
"Ernie," he said. "Call me that."