"You must forgive me for bullying your brother the other day," he said. "Really, he deserved it."
She glanced up quickly.
"Jerry doesn't understand," she said.
He kept his hand outstretched though she did not take it.
"I don't understand, either," he said.
"Do you really want to shake hands with me?" she murmured, her voice very low.
"I want to hold your hand in mine, if I may," he answered simply. "I think it will help to solve the difficulty. Thank you! Yes; I thought you were trembling. Now, why, I wonder?"
She did not answer him. Her head was bent.
"Don't!" he said gently. "There is no cause. Didn't I tell you I would shunt if you didn't want me?"
Still she was silent, her hand lying passive in his.