A glance showed him that his common-sense had served him well; it was Alma who looked pale and thought-worn, who betrayed timidity, and could not at once command herself.
'What have you been doing ?' she asked, remarking his appearance.
'Rambling about a little,' he replied good-humouredly.
'Where?
You look as if you had been a voyage.' 'So I have, a short one.' And he told her how his week had passed.
'So that's how you would like to spend your life--always travelling ?' 'Oh no! I did it to kill time.

You must remember that a week is something like a year to a man who is waiting impatiently.' She dropped her eyes.
'I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

But I never thought you very impatient.

You always seemed to take things philosophically.' 'I generally try to.' There was a pause.

Alma, leaning forward in her chair, kept her eyes down, and did not raise them when she again spoke.
'You have surprised and perplexed and worried me.