I met your father before the service, and he promised to show me his orchids." "Oh!" said Dot, nervously avoiding a second glance in Bertie's direction.
"Won't you come across to the Rectory then and wait for him there ?" "May I ?" said Lucas.
He straightened himself with an effort and transferred his weight to his crutch.

Dot shyly proffered her arm.
"Let me!" said Bertie.
He was already on the steps, but Lucas waved him down, and accepted the girl's help instead.
"We will go in the garden way," said Dot.

"It's only just across the road." He halted terribly in the descent, and glancing at him in some anxiety she saw that his lips were tightly closed.

Overwhelming pity for the man overcame her awkwardness, and she spoke sharply over her shoulder.
"Bertie, come and take my place! You know what to do better than I do." In an instant Bertie was beside her, had slipped his arm under his brother's shoulder, and taken his weight almost entirely off the crutch.
His active young strength bore the great burden unfalteringly and with immense tenderness, and there ran through Dot, watching from above, a queer little indefinable thrill that made her heart beat suddenly faster.
He certainly was a nice boy, as he himself had declared.
"That didn't hurt so badly, eh, old chap ?" asked the cheery voice.

"Come along, Dot.