She let him in quite freely: to that edge of fun and excitement as well as to the strange and somber places.

It was fun sharing fun with him; and something in his way of receiving it suggested that he had been in need of sharing some one's fun.

He had a way of looking at her when she laughed that had vague suggestion of something not far from gratitude.
But the fun light, and that other light which seemed wanting to thank her for something, went from his eyes, leaving a glimmer of something deeper as he asked: "But you've never asked for her story?
You've demanded nothing ?" "Why no," said Katie; "only that I should be proud if she ever felt I could help." He turned his face a little away.

One looking into it then would not have given much for his stock of hate.
Worth had approached.

"Ain't you getting awful hungry, Aunt Kate ?" It recalled her, and to embarrassment.