It was not quite nine o'clock, and Mrs.Enderby was from home.
He seated himself, but Maud remained standing irresolutely.

Waymark glanced at her from under his eyebrows.

He did not find it easy to speak; they had both been silent since they left the park, with the exception of the few words exchanged at the door.
"Will you let me sit here ?" Maud asked suddenly, pushing a footstool near to his chair, and kneeling upon it.
He smiled and nodded.
"When will they begin the printing ?" she asked, referring to his book, which was now in the hands of the publisher who had undertaken it.
"Not for some months.

It can't come out till the winter season." "If it should succeed, it will make a great difference in your position, won't it ?" "It might," he replied, looking away.
She sat with her eyes fixed on the ground.

She wished to continue, but something stayed her.
"I don't much count upon it," Waymark said, when he could no longer endure the silence.