He tried to make it sound pleasant and commonplace, and knew that he failed.
Grasping the side of the vehicle, he descended clumsily.
Becky took his hand and pressed it warmly. She turned and took a step toward the house, still holding his hand. He withdrew it.
'I—don't, please; I know the way.'
With the shuffling tread of the blind he ascended the walk, stopping uncertainly at the foot of the steps. He heard Becky, at his side, draw a quick breath, as if about to speak. He half-turned to her, and hearing nothing more, mounted the steps heavily.
'Do you know,' he said, as he paused at the top, 'I've never counted these steps before. I didn't know there were so many. Let's sit inside, if you don't mind.'
He went a little way, and Becky put her hand on his arm.
'It's this way, Noakes,' she said gently, as she guided him into the room in which they were the night before.
'Thank you. It's a bit hard to be led,' Noakes said huskily.
They sat on a deep couch.