Agatha might learn to despise him, which would be intolerable.
Then he felt a touch on his shoulder and got up with a start.

Agatha stood close by and he thought there was more color in her face than usual, although her eyes were calm.
"Brooding over our good luck ?" she said with a smile.

"Isn't that a curious attitude ?" "The good luck is yours." "If you insist on the difference, but I don't know that it's kind! Besides, I wanted to give you half my frontage on the vein." "That's quite impossible," said Thirlwell firmly.
"Why is it impossible ?" "It would look as if I'd meant to take advantage of your generosity." "Does it matter how the thing would look ?" "Yes," said Thirlwell, who hesitated.

"I want to keep your good opinion--if I have it." Agatha smiled, but her glance was soft.

"I won't flatter you, because I think you ought to know.