'You're a very nice girl to look at, Emma, and I've always admired you when you opened the door to me. I've always liked your nice, respectful way of speaking, but somehow you don't speak quite so nicely to-day. What has put you out?'
Her eyes did not quit his face for a moment; her attitude betokened the utmost keenness of suspicious observation.
'Nothing's put me out, that I know of.'
'Yet you don't speak very nicely—not very respectfully. Perhaps'—he paused—'perhaps Mr. Shergold is going to leave?'
'P'r'aps he may be.'
'And you're vexed at losing a lodger.'
He saw her lip curl and then she laughed.
'You're wrong there.'
'Then what is it?'
He drew near and made as though he would advance a familiar arm. Emma started back.