She had betrayed herself, however, by a look and a blush, for though an absent man, the Professor saw a good deal more than people fancied.

He knew that Jo wrote, and had met her down among the newspaper offices more than once, but as she never spoke of it, he asked no questions in spite of a strong desire to see her work.

Now it occurred to him that she was doing what she was ashamed to own, and it troubled him.

He did not say to himself, "It is none of my business.
I've no right to say anything," as many people would have done.

He only remembered that she was young and poor, a girl far away from mother's love and father's care, and he was moved to help her with an impulse as quick and natural as that which would prompt him to put out his hand to save a baby from a puddle.