"Thank you. It is nice of you to be so kind to me after—what I said."
"No man in his senses could be anything but kind to you." And bending down he once more encircled her with his arm, raising her to her feet, and taking his time over the proceeding. For an instant, in mere weakness, she leaned her light weight upon him; and his sense of triumph was complete.
"No hurry," he assured her gently. "You're very shaky still, you know."
But she stiffened at the cautious tightening of his arm, and stumbled forward, so that he had some ado to repress his irritation.
He lifted her to the saddle; and, seemingly oblivious that he had offered himself as a mere prop, took such full advantage of the permission to support her till they reached the bungalow, that she was vaguely troubled, though too dazed and shaken to attempt further remonstrance.
"May I come in?" he asked, as he set her on the ground.
"Yes, please come. Won't you stay to dinner?"
"I should like to, awfully."
"Very well then, do."