The girl's gaze followed the automobile up the hill as she waited for the taxicab to stop. “I do hope he isn't hurt badly,” she murmured piteously.
“Probably he isn't. Just stunned, the doctor seemed to think. Anyhow it was an unavoidable accident.”
The eyes of the young woman kindled. “I'll never forget the way you jumped to save him. It was splendid.”
James flushed with pleasure. “Nonsense. I merely pushed him aside.”
“You merely risked your life for his. A bagatelle—don't mention it,” the girl mocked.
Farnum nodded, the old warmth for her in his eyes. “All right, I'll take all the praise you want to give me. It's been a good while since you have thought I deserved any.”
Alice looked out of the window in a silence that appeared to accuse him.
“Yet once”—She felt in his fine voice the vibration of feeling—“once we were friends. We met on the common ground of—of the spirit,” he risked.
Her eyes came round to meet his. “Is it my fault that we are not still friends?”
“I don't know. Something has come between us. What is it?”