Hadn't she let him know that she knew the author of that advertisement offering to buy the drums, no questions asked?
Very well, then; if he would not tell her the truth she would have to find it out herself.
Meanwhile, Cutty sat on the edge of his bed staring blankly at the rug, trying to find a pick-up to the emotions that beset him.

One thing issued clearly: He had wanted to kiss the child.

He still wanted to kiss her.

Why hadn't he?
Unanswerable.

It was still unanswerable even when the pallor of dawn began slowly to absorb the artificial light of his bed lamp..