The man removed his pipe and spat carefully between his feet. Then with deliberation he said—
'The one that's doing the talking now—she's the disturbingest o' the lot.'
'Not that nice little——'
'Don't you be took in, mum;' and he resumed the consolatory pipe.
'What is it, Geoffrey? Have I done anything?' Jean said very low.
'Why didn't you stay where I left you[?'] he answered, without looking at her.
'I couldn't hear. I couldn't even see. Please don't look like that. Forgive me,' she pleaded, covertly seeking his hand.
His set face softened. 'It frightened me when I didn't see you where I left you.'
She smiled, with recovered spirits. She could attend now to the thing she had come to see.