He dropped his club, and held out his hand.
"Let's shake, Celie," he said.

"I'm mighty glad you understand--we're pals." Unhesitatingly she gave him her hand, and in spite of the fact that death lurked outside they smiled into each other's eyes.

After that she went into her room.

For half an hour Philip did not see her again.
During that half hour he measured up the situation more calmly.

He realized that the exigency was tremendously serious, and that until now he had not viewed it with the dispassionate coolness that characterized the service of the uniform he wore.