She was scared speechless when the bell rang––when she heard his unhurried step on the stair.
Before he was announced by the maid, however, she had understood one problem in the scheme of things––realised it as she rose from the lounge and held out her slender hand.
He took it and kept it. The maid retired.
“Well, Palla,” he said.
“Well,” she said, rather breathlessly, “––I know now.”
His voice and face seemed amiable and lifeless; his eyes, too, remained dull and incurious; but he said: “I don’t think I understand. What is it you know?”
“Shall I tell you?”
“If you wish.”