“O my Paul,” she said.
Brent looked sheepish.
“I should have known that you had some strong reason—that the fellow is such a beast.”
“He may be that, but we could not fight him in that way. I don’t believe you would have done it, Paul, even if I had asked you.”
“I was pretty sure you would not ask me.”
“Thank you,” she said.
Brent walked with her as far as the factory, and turned homewards along the Rue Romaine. She had given him a soft look of the eyes, and a little smile, and Brent was happy.
“She’s great,” he kept saying to himself; “by God, I’m glad she trusts me!”
XX
The day dawned very red, with the whole horizon flushed like the inside of a shell. The sky overhead was as grey as a pearl; there was no wind moving and the air lay soft and still.