'Let me get a light, dear.' The intonation of his voice as he said 'dear' caused her an involuntary feeling of voluptuousness. She trembled as the vague outline of his big cheeks became clear in the red flame of the match which he held in his hollowed hands.
'Won't you come in?' she heard him say a moment after.
'No, I couldn't; I must go upstairs in a minute. I only came to tell you, for I didn't want you to go away angry; it wasn't my fault. I should so much have liked to have gone to the theatre.'
'It was a pity you didn't come; I was waiting at the door for you. I could have sat by you the whole time.'
Kate's heart died within her at thought of what she had lost, and after a long silence she said very mournfully:
'Perhaps when you come back another time I shall be able to go to the theatre.'
'We've done so well here that we're going to get another date. I'll write and let you know.'
'Will you? And will you come back and lodge here?'
'Of course, and I hope that I shan't be so unlucky the next time as to fall down amid the crockery.'
At this they both laughed, and the conversation came to a pause.