She impulsively stood close before him, lifted her small white face, as if for a kiss. "Do you forgive me?" she asked. "I was foolish. I didn't understand—till I went back. Then—nothing was the same. And I knew I wasn't fitted for that life—and didn't really care for him—and——"
He kissed her on the brow. "Don't agitate yourself," said he. "And we will never speak of this again."
She shrank as if he had struck her. Her head drooped, and her shoulders. When she was clear of the door, he quietly closed it.
XIX
It was not many minutes after ten when Tetlow hurried into Norman's office. "Galloway's coming at eleven!" said he, with an air of triumph.
"So you mulled over what I said and decided that I was not altogether drunk?"
"I wasn't sure of that," replied Tetlow. "But I was afraid you'd be offended if I didn't try to get him. He gave me no trouble at all. As soon as I told him you'd be glad to see him at your office, he astounded me by saying he'd come."
"He and I have had dealings," said Norman. "He understood at once. I always know my way when I'm dealing with a big man. It's only the little people that are muddled and complex. I hope you'll not forget this lesson, Billy."
"I shan't," promised Tetlow.