“Remember that I’m from the wilds,” he said.
She smiled at him reassuringly.
“After all, that isn’t a great drawback. Anyway, I’m grateful for the trout.” Then, somewhat to his surprise, she abruptly changed the subject. “I wonder what you think of a tacit promise?”
His face grew thoughtful; she liked his quick change to seriousness.
“Well, I don’t know that my opinion’s of much value, but you may have it. Supposing two people allow each other to assume that they’re agreed upon the same thing, it’s binding upon both of them.”
“But if only one actually made his wishes clear.”
“In that case, the other had the option of showing that they couldn’t be acceded to. Failing that, in my view, he can’t go back on it.” Then his eyes gleamed with amusement. “I don’t often set up as a philosopher.”
Millicent was a little vexed with herself for asking him and did not quite understand why she had done so, unless it was because she had not altogether recovered her usual collectedness after Mrs. Gladwyne’s visit. Why she should be interested in this man’s opinion was not clear, but she thought he was one who would act in accordance with it. She was afterward even more astonished at her next remark, which she made impulsively.
“You have seen a good deal of Miss Crestwick, one way or another.”