He looked back, strangely, as if startled.
'May I look at the books I put up yesterday ?' she asked, timorously.
'Ah yes! There is old Gibbon, our corner-stone.

He hasn't much elbow-room now.' Again he laughed.

The laugh troubled her; she preferred him to be grave.
'And some more books are coming to-day ?' she said.
'Yes, this afternoon.' 'Mr.Egremont, may I come and help to put up a few to-morrow morning ?' Again her tongue uttered words in defiance of herself.

She could not believe it when the words were spoken.
Egremont perused the floor.

The slight frown had returned.
'But perhaps I shall be in your way,' she continued, hastily.