“But it’s ridiculous to go for a long walk in new shoes!”
“Do you mind if I take them off for a minute?”
“Of course not. Let me undo the laces.”
He knelt at her feet. It was a wonderful and thrilling experience to loosen the laces, to feel her small feet in their smooth silk stockings. His hands trembled.
“I wish you wouldn’t touch my feet. I’m awfully sorry: it’s one of the things I can’t bear. You don’t mind, do you?”
“You mustn’t blame me. They’re so beautiful.”
She smiled. Her modesty delighted him.
Sitting there together, so miraculously alone, he began to talk about his future. “I shan’t see you for a whole week. It will be unbearable. But when the exam. is over and I’m qualified it will be such a relief. I shall feel able to say the things that I want to say to you.”
For a long time she was silent. Then she said: “What are you expecting to do?”
“I think I shall go in for one of the services. What do you think of the Indian Medical? It would be wonderful to see India. I’ve always thought that I should like to know something of the world. I think it’s a good life. Women generally love it. What do you think about it?”