His nerves were not yet altogether steady; for he found it necessary to reply in nothing but patient monosyllables to what Miss Gault was saying. By degrees, however, her discourse became so personal that these replies began to gather a dangerous intensity, although they still remained abrupt and brief.

“I’m glad to find you, boy. I’ve been hoping and hoping I should get a word with you.”

“Dear Miss Gault!”

“You’re not angry with me any more for opposing your plan about Mattie and Olwen? I confess it seems to have worked out better than I ever supposed it would.”

“No⁠ ⁠… no.”

“As long as she doesn’t meet that terrible old man or that crazy girl⁠—”

“What’s that?”