He endeavoured to speak lightly, to bring the conversation back to the humorous line it had left; continued:
"I have known people take quite an interest in enigmas. Do you?"
She changed the subject. Kept away from where there was a treading on dangerous ground; felt the ice getting thin; said:
"I gather that this palmist character of yours professes to read the past, but does not venture on prophecy?"
"I venture on prophecy now!"
He spoke suddenly, rising as he did so. Picking up his books, and—for the first time—quietly possessing himself of her bag, continued:
"That rapidly travelling cloud, at present looking very little larger than a man's hand, coming from the south, is full of rain. It will burst before we are back in the town, unless we hurry. Gracie! Gracie!"
The little girl came running in response to his call. All three, for the first time, walked homewards together. A student of human nature might have seen in it a beginning of things.
"I am living in Marine Terrace."
He was describing the situation of his lodgings. Waited for her to respond, and then asked: