He got a reproachful look—and was rewarded.
“I did my best. I got very hot and was overtired. I’m awfully tired now.” If she expected pity from so naive an appeal, she got none.
“Well? Why come out, if you are tired?”
She flamed. “Because you asked me—because you said—I wish I had not come with all my heart.” She was on the edge of tears.
“I asked you because I thought that you would like to come. I have had some reason to think so. But we won’t talk about it if it distresses you. Have you read my book?”
She admitted that.
“Well?”
Her defences broken, she looked at him for the first time. “It was very kind of you to let me read it.”
But he couldn’t have her praises. “Oh, kind! Everybody’s kind—to you. What did you think about it?” That sent her eyelids down.
“I don’t suppose I understood half of it. I’m not clever, you know.”