“I don’t know. I thought I’d say something. We were n’t having exactly a rollicking time, you know.”
This time the acerbity in her tone did strike him. Something had gone wrong with her. He bent forward so as to catch a sight of her averted face.
“What is the matter, Miss Stevens?” he asked concernedly. “You are not yourself. Could I be of any service to you?”
She did not reply. Her silence seemed an encouragement to press his sympathy. It was a new thing to be of help to a human being. He put his fingers on her sleeve and added:—
“Tell me.”
She drew away her arm and started to her feet.
“Yes, I will tell you. I ’ve been making a miserable little fool of myself. Let’s go back.”
Joyce rose and walked by her side.
“You are not by any chance embarrassed in money matters?” he asked, in as delicate a tone as he could.
“Money!”