She spoke without any prelude, and did not seem to expect any answer, turning away and going about her work at once, but he felt that he need feel restless and chilled in her presence no longer. He did not pursue his task at home, but took the model down to the Works and found a place for it in his little work-cell. The day he did so he was favored by a visit from Haworth. It was the first since the rupture between them. Since then they had worked day after day with only the door between them, they had known each other's incomings and outgoings, but had been as far apart as if a world separated them. Haworth had known more of Murdoch than Murdoch had known of him. No change in him had escaped his eye. He had seen him struggle and reach his climax at last. He had jeered at him as a poor enough fellow with fine, white-livered fancies, and a woman's way of bearing himself. He had raged at and cursed him, and now and then had been lost in wonder at him, but he had never fathomed him from first to last. But within the last few weeks his mood had changed,--slowly, it is true, but it had changed. His bearing had changed, too. Murdoch himself gradually awakened to a recognition of this fact, in no small wonder. He was less dogged and aggressive, and showed less ill-will. That he should appear suddenly, almost in his old way, was a somewhat startling state of affairs, but he crossed the threshold coolly. He sat down and folded his arms on the table. "You brought summat down with you this morning," he said. "What was it?" Murdoch pointed to the wooden case, which stood on a shelf a few feet from him. "It was that," he answered. "That!" he repeated. "What! You're at work at it again, are you?" "Yes." "Well, look sharp after it, that's all. There's a grudge bore again it." "I know that," Murdoch answered, "to my cost. I brought it here because I thought it would be safer." "Aye, it'll be safer. Take my advice and keep it close, and work at it at nights, when th' place is quiet. There's a key as'll let you in." And he flung a key down upon the table. Murdoch picked it up mechanically. He felt as if he could scarcely be awake. It seemed as if the man must have brought his purpose into the room with him, having thought it over beforehand. His manner by no means disarmed the suspicion. "It is the favor I should have asked, if I had thought----" Haworth left his chair. "There's th' key," he said, abruptly. "Use it. No other chap would get it." He went back to his own room, and Murdoch was left to his surprise. He finished his work for the day, and went home, remaining there until night came on. Then he went back to the Works, having first told Christian of his purpose. "I am going to the Works," he said. "I may be there all night. Don't wait for me, or feel anxious."