Instinctively he began to make his way through the crowd towards the Malakite shop. Recognizing the import of this movement, he mentally confronted the only alternative to it⁠ ⁠… that of hanging about for half-an-hour in his deserted classroom. No! That would be misery too great! But when he reached the shop and had rung the bell in the side-alley, he felt tempted to bolt. The presence of Olwen seemed to change the whole situation. It was as if the little girl were clinging to both Christie’s hands, held behind her back; so that she lacked the power ⁠ ⁠… whatever her will may have been⁠ ⁠… to help him at this crisis!

He could not recall ever having waited so long at that door as he waited now. What a lovely day it was! But that balmy spring air⁠ ⁠… and he could see several clumps of pale jonquils in the little backyard⁠ ⁠… floated over him as if he had been a dead man, as if he had really been drowned last night in Lenty Pond.