She lifted a trembling hand to the notes hidden beneath her frock; they were real enough—and then came another and more cruel thought. Supposing he had given them to her by way of farewell—her heart almost stopped beating.
Such things did happen she knew in novelettes, if not out of them! Peg had told her one lurid story, in which....
"Good afternoon," said the Beggar Man beside her.
Tears of relief started to her eyes. She was so glad to see him she could hardly speak; she stammered out:
"I thought you were not coming any more—I thought you had gone away."
He looked faintly surprised.
"Am I late? I'm sorry. I would have been earlier if I had known you would be here."
Faith smiled, and brushed the tears from her eyes.
"It doesn't matter a bit now you've come," she said. She was quite happy again.