A few minutes passed in silence. Then Gloria looked up suddenly.
"Mr. Griggs?"
"Yes?"
"I did not mean to be horrid."
"No, of course not."
"Because, if I were ever in trouble, you know—I should come straight to you."
"Thank you," he answered very gently. "But I hope you will never be in trouble. If you ever should be—" He stopped.
"Well?"
"I do not think you would find anybody who would try harder to help you," he said simply.
She wished that his voice would tremble, or that he would put out his hand towards her, or show something a little more like emotion. But she had to be satisfied.