"Of course," she said, not looking at him. "Of course."
He stood for a moment or two, watching her. Then he moved to her side.
"I'm leaving you in charge," he said, "But you won't overdo it?
Promise me!"
She laughed a little. The thought of his going was a vast relief to her at that moment. She yearned to be alone, to readjust her life somehow before she met him again. She wanted to rebuild her defences. She wanted to be quite sure of herself.
"Oh, I shall take great care of myself," she said. "I'm very good at that."
"I wonder," said Burke, And then he laid his hand upon the flicking duster and stopped her quivering activity. "Are you still—hating me?" he said.
She stood motionless, and still her eyes avoided his. "I'll tell you," she said, "when we meet again."
"Does that mean that I am to go—unforgiven?" he said.
Against her will she looked at him. In spite of her, her lip trembled,
He put his arm round her. "Does it?" he said.