She shut the door behind them and went away, leaving them in the narrow, dimly-lighted hall.
"What a rum go!" said Bunny.
Jake said nothing. He was gazing into the shadows in front of him with intent, searching eyes. How would she greet him? Would she be glad? Would she be sorry? He watched for her face, and the first instinctive expression it would wear at sight of him.
There came the rustle of a dress, a footfall that was light and yet somehow sounded weary. She came through the dim hall with a slow, tired gait.
"Good evening!" she said. "Will you come upstairs?"
Bunny's fist suddenly prodded Jake in the back. He went forward a step almost involuntarily.
"Maud!" he said.
"Jake!" She stood as one transfixed.
And in that moment he forgot to notice how she looked at him, forgot everything in the one overwhelming thought that he was with her. He strode forward, and somehow her two cold hands were in his before he knew whether he had taken or she had offered them.
"My girl!" he said, and again huskily, "My girl!"