She made a small, instinctive movement away from him, but he did not seem to notice.
He took off his hat and laid it down.
"I'm sorry Mrs.Merston had to be inflicted on you for so long," he said.

"I'm afraid she is not exactly cheery company." "I didn't mind," said Sylvia.
He gave her a faintly whimsical look.

"Not utterly fed up with Africa and all her beastly ways ?" he questioned.
She shook her head.

"I don't think I am so easily swayed as all that." "You would rather stay here with me than go back home to England ?" he said.
Her eyes went down to the lonely hut on the sand.

"Why do you ask me that ?" she said, in a low voice.
"Because I want to know," said Burke.
Sylvia was silent.
He went on after a moment.