Nancy exchanged a glance with her companion and smiled. When they were outside again Tarrant asked:
‘Have you found a pretty book?’
She showed the title of her choice.
‘Merciful heavens! You mean to read that? The girls of to-day! What mere man is worthy of them? But—I must rise to the occasion. We’ll have a chapter as we rest.’
Insensibly, Nancy had followed the direction he chose. His words took for granted that she was going into the country with him.
‘My friends are on the pier,’ she said, abruptly stopping.
‘Where doubtless they will enjoy themselves. Let me carry your book, please. Helmholtz is rather heavy.’
‘Thanks, I can carry it very well. I shall turn this way.’
‘No, no. My way this afternoon.’
Nancy stood still, looking up the street that led towards the sea. She was still bright-coloured; her lips had a pathetic expression, a child-like pouting.