Monica drew in her breath silently, then gazed at the distance.

’No, I haven’t made any new friends.  The one or two men I care for are not much better off than I used to be, and I always feel ashamed to ask them to come and see me.  Perhaps they think I shun them because of their position, and I don’t know how to justify myself.  Life has always been full of worrying problems for me.  I can’t take things in the simple way that comes natural to other men.’

‘Don’t you think we ought to be turning back, Mr. Widdowson?’

‘Yes, we will.  I am sorry the time goes so quickly.’

When a few minutes had passed in silence, he asked,—­

’Do you feel that I am no longer quite a stranger to you, Miss Madden?’

‘Yes—­you have told me so much.’

’It’s very kind of you to listen so patiently.  I wish I had more interesting things to tell, but you see what a dull life mine has been.’  He paused, and let the boat waver on the stream for a moment.  ’When I dared to speak to you last Sunday I had only the faintest hope that you would grant me your acquaintance.  You can’t, I am sure, repent of having done me that kindness—?’

‘One never knows.  I doubted whether I ought to talk with a stranger—­’

’Rightly—­quite rightly.  It was my perseverance—­you saw, I hope, that I could never dream of giving you offence.  The rule is necessary, but you see there may be exceptional cases.’  He was giving a lazy stroke now and then, which, as the tide was still, just moved the boat onwards.  ’I saw something in your face that compelled me to speak to you.  And now we may really be friends, I hope?’

‘Yes—­I can think of you as a friend, Mr. Widdowson.’

A large boat was passing with four or five young men and girls who sang in good time and tune.  Only a song of the music-hall or of the nigger minstrels, but it sounded pleasantly with the plash of the oars.  A fine sunset had begun to glow upon the river; its warmth gave a tone to Monica’s thin cheeks.

’And you will let me see you again before long?  Let me drive you to Hampton Court next Sunday—­or any other place you would choose.’

‘Very likely I shall be invited to my friend’s in Chelsea.’

‘Do you seriously think of leaving the shop?’

‘I don’t know—­I must have time to think about it—­’

’Yes—­yes.  But if I write a line to you, say on Friday, would you let me know whether you can come?’

‘Please to let me refuse for next Sunday.  The one after, perhaps—­’

He bent his head, looked desperately grave, and drove the boat on Monica was disturbed, but held to her resolution, which Widdowson silently accepted.  The rest of the way they exchanged only brief sentences, about the beauty of the sky, the scenes on river or bank, and other impersonal matters.  After landing, they walked in silence towards Chelsea Bridge.