Emptiness there: but I left the door open, and the electricity switched on.

They might change their minds, or be more subtle than they wished to seem.
Maxine threw herself on the sofa, gathering up the necklace from the cushion where it had fallen, and lifting it in both hands pressed the glittering mass against her lips and cheeks.
"Thank God, thank God--and thank you, Ivor, best of friends!" she said brokenly, in so low a voice that no ear could have caught her words, even if pressed against the keyhole.

Then, letting the diamonds drop into her lap, she flung back her head and laughed and cried together.
"Oh, Ivor, Ivor!" she panted, between her sobs and hysterical gusts of laughter.

"The agony of it--the agony--and the joy now! You're wonderful.

Good, precious Ivor--dear friend--saint." At this I laughed too, partly to calm her, and patted gently the hands with which she had nervously clutched my sleeve.
"Heaven knows I don't deserve one of those epithets," I said, "I'll just stick to friend." "Not deserve them ?" she repeated.