Hermione was standing on tiptoe endeavouring to reach a certain bottle upon the top shelf where were ranged many others of various shapes and sizes, when Ravenslee's big hand did it for her; but when she would have taken it, he shook his head.
"I should like to go with you, if I may," he said, "to be—er—formally introduced to the princess."
"But—" began Hermione, hesitating.
"Also I could carry the bottle for you."
"Why, if you will do all that—" she smiled.
"Thanks!" he answered, and putting the bottle in his pocket, he opened the door.
"Hey, Geoff," Spike called after him, "you've forgot to kiss the turkey good-by!"
"Why then, you can do it for me, Spike!" he answered, and followed Hermione out upon the landing.
Side by side they descended the stair, in the doing of which her soft shoulder met him once, and once he thrilled to feel her hand touch his in the shadow, but this hand was hastily withdrawn; also, though the light was dim, he saw that she was frowning and biting her red underlip.
"These stairs are rather—narrow, aren't they?" said she, drawing to the wall.