Jack chuckled.
A charwoman with bucket and brush came through the hall, and they were obliged to pull themselves together quickly.
"The gentleman who said he wanted that room may not come back," said Kate. "I'll show it to you anyway."
She led him upstairs. She had not yet touched Silas Gyde's room, and as they went in she was obliged to close the door after them to keep the people in the house from seeing the strange conglomeration inside.
Jack seized her hand. "Katy, darling, you take my breath away, you're so wonderful!" he said, trying to draw her towards him.
She would have none of that. "Behave yourself!" she said crushingly. "You know very well why I had to close the door! How can I go on with this if you're going to act in such a way! Please remember who you're supposed to be! Do you suppose I'm going to be familiar with my lodgers!"
"Oh, I forgot everything except how sweet you are!" groaned Jack.
"Look in the glass!" she said. "Do you suppose I want that yellow face near mine?"
He frowned and rubbed his chin ruefully, not quite knowing how to take this left-handed compliment. "But—but I shan't be able to see you for ages, except as Pitman," he complained.
"Well, I shall survive it," she said briskly.