But as he swept the board at the first deal, and criticised his partner's lead at the second, instruction was deemed superfluous.
By degrees, Lois and Helen came nearer together.

There was no explanation: the differences had been too subtile for words, at least on Lois's side, and to have attempted it would have made a vague impression harden into permanence.
No one recognized an effort on Helen's part, and she only knew it herself when she realized that it was a relief to be with Mr.Dale.

He understood; she could be silent with him.

So she came very often to his little basement office, and spent long mornings with him, helping him label some books, or copying notes which he had intended "getting into shape" these twenty years.

She liked the stillness and dimness of the small room, with its smell of leather-covered volumes, or whiff of wood smoke from the fireplace.
Mrs.Dale rarely disturbed them.