His agitation was even greater on the whole than she had at first allowed for.

"I say, you know, you mustn't think of leaving!" he at last broke out.
"Of leaving Cocker's, you mean ?" "Yes, you must stay on there, whatever happens, and help a fellow." She was silent a little, partly because it was so strange and exquisite to feel him watch her as if it really mattered to him and he were almost in suspense.

"Then you _have_ quite recognised what I've tried to do ?" she asked.
"Why, wasn't that exactly what I dashed over from my door just now to thank you for ?" "Yes; so you said." "And don't you believe it ?" She looked down a moment at his hand, which continued to cover her own; whereupon he presently drew it back, rather restlessly folding his arms.
Without answering his question she went on: "Have you ever spoken of me ?" "Spoken of you ?" "Of my being there--of my knowing, and that sort of thing." "Oh never to a human creature!" he eagerly declared.
She had a small drop at this, which was expressed in another pause, and she then returned to what he had just asked her.

"Oh yes, I quite believe you like it--my always being there and our taking things up so familiarly and successfully: if not exactly where we left them," she laughed, "almost always at least at an interesting point!" He was about to say something in reply to this, but her friendly gaiety was quicker.
"You want a great many things in life, a great many comforts and helps and luxuries--you want everything as pleasant as possible.

Therefore, so far as it's in the power of any particular person to contribute to all that--" She had turned her face to him smiling, just thinking.
"Oh see here!" But he was highly amused.