"Thank you," said Mr. Chandos, when I went in again. "What should I do without you to fetch and carry? I want that book now."
It lay on the side-table; a dreadfully dry scientific work. He locked his desk and took the book from me.
"You must put down your slavery to my stupid foot. When you get disabled, Anne, I'll do as much for you."
"You know the fault is yours, Mr. Chandos. Had you only been a little patient when the foot was getting better, it would have been strong before now. As to the slavery——"
"Well? What as to the slavery? Are you going to strike?"
I had been about to say that I liked the slavery, but stopped in time. The colour of embarrassment was coming into my cheek, and I turned it off with a light laugh and light words.
"I won't strike just yet. Not until Madame de Mellissie comes."
"Then suppose you lend me your shoulder?"
He could have walked quite well without it, as he knew and I knew; I daresay if put to it he might have walked to the railway station. But ah! the bliss of feeling his hand on me! if it were only half as great to him he had kept his ankle sick for ever!
"As to Emily, with her proverbial uncertainty, she is just as likely to be here in two months as in two days, Anne."