"I should have thought old Churchouse would have seen you're a genius, and educated you and adopted you."
"Nothing of a genius about me. I'm like most other girls."
"I never saw another girl like you," he said.
"You'd spoil anybody with your compliments."
"Never paid a compliment in my life," he declared.
Their conversation became desultory, and presently Sabina said she must be going home.
"Mother will be wondering."
On the way back they met another familiar pair and Sabina speculated as to what Raymond thought; but he showed no emotion and took off his hat to Sarah Northover and Nicholas Roberts, the lathe worker, as they passed by. Sarah smiled, and Nicholas, a thin, good-looking man, took off his hat also.
"I must go and study the lathes," said Raymond after they had passed. "That's a branch of the work I haven't looked at yet. Roberts seems a good chap, and he's a very useful bowler, I find."
"He's engaged to Sarah; they're going to be married when he can get a house."