"Are you thinking of another old engine?"
"No," said Nicky. "I'm not thinking of anything."
"Then you don't want me to do any more drawings?"
"No."
"Well then--I wonder whether you'd very much mind going away?"
"Now?"
"No. Not now. But soon. From here. Altogether."
"Go? Altogether? Me? Why?"
He was utterly astonished. He thought that he had offended Desmond past all forgiveness.
"Because I came here to be alone. To work. And I can't work. And I want to be alone again."