"Possibly."
"Well, won't you tell me what?"
"That would take a long time—suppose you come in and have tea with me, then we could talk comfortably."
"That sounds a good plan," she said, gravely. "Shall I climb through the window—I can quite easily—or would you like me to go round by the door?"
"The window will serve," said the old man.
And with one bound as light as a young kid, Halcyone was in the room.
There was a second armchair beyond the pile of books, and into that she nestled, crossing her knees and clasping her hands round them. "Now we can begin," she said.
"Tea or talk?" asked the old man.
"Why, talk, of course; there is no tea—"
"But if you rang that bell some might come."