Faith rushed to Peg's defence.
"She meant it so awfully well. She's always sticking up for you. She says that she likes fair play...." She paused. "So do I," she added with difficulty. "And—and I'm afraid I haven't played fair since—since—well, you know."
There was a little silence. The Beggar Man's eyes never left her face, and there was a queer, hungry look in their blueness.
"You're not—I suppose you're not trying to tell me that—that you don't hate me so much—after all, eh?" he asked with an effort.
She drew back a step in alarm.
"I am only trying to tell you that—that I know how much you've done for us all, and that if there was anything—any little thing I could do to please you ..." She faltered and stopped.
There was an eloquent silence.
"Well—I should like you to kiss me," Forrester said bluntly. He paused. "Or is that too big a thing to ask?" for Faith had put out protesting hands, and he laughed.
"It's too much, eh? Oh, all right! Don't bother!" He passed her without another word and walked out of the room whistling.
They had quite a merry evening.