'I won't say a word, sir.'
Warmth on Thyrza's cheeks answered the pleasure in his eyes as he looked at her. Perhaps neither had fully felt how glad it would make them to meet again. When Thyrza had given her assurance, Egremont's face showed that he was going to say something in a different tone.
'Miss Trent, will you speak to me in future as you do to your friends? I want very much to be one of your friends, if you will let me.'
Thyrza kept her eyes upon the ground. She could not find the fitting words for reply. He continued:
'Grail is my friend, and we always talk as friends should. Won't you cease to think of me as a stranger?'
'I don't think of you in that way, Mr. Egremont.'
'Then let us shake hands again in the new way.'
Thyrza gave hers. She just met his eyes for a moment her own had a smile of intense happiness.
'Yes, keep this a secret,' Egremont went on, quickly resuming his ordinary voice. 'I'll surprise Grail in a few days, by bringing him in. Now, how am I to get this lid off? How tremendously firm it is! I suppose I ought to have got the men to do it, but I brought a screw-driver in my pocket, thinking it would be easy enough. Ah, there's a beginning! I ought to have a hammer.'
'Shall I go and ask Mrs. Butterfield if she has one?'