I was glad of the dark under the copper-beech. For I didn’t want my employer to see that his words had any sort of effect on me. Four words ought not, certainly, to be enough to threaten to bring one’s flag down with a run ... or even to flush one’s cheeks with that sudden warmth—of surprise. I didn’t mean to hesitate—— But there was a moment’s silence before I could think what to say. I was glad he was standing right away from me.... Just at that, he came and sat down beside me on the garden-seat. “Well?” he said expectantly. “M-m—very well,” I heard myself say with a little sigh. “You mean that you will?”—quickly. “That it’s peace between us?” “Yes—” reluctantly, from me. “And that, instead of remaining”—I heard him laugh a little—“a mere _fiancée_, you’ll be friends now—real chums?” “If you like,” I sighed again. “That _is_ promotion, isn’t it?” I said, not meaning to be altogether too polite to him. “Nancy, I know I’m rotten in lots of ways,” he admitted frankly. “I daresay you think I’ve got a beast of a temper, don’t you?” “Well,” I said slowly, “you did kick Cariad, didn’t you?” “Little brute needs it! He’s disgustingly spoilt. Everyone is who belongs to my mother.” ... “And you did make Theo cry!” “Did her good!” “It didn’t in the least! She was just as bad again to-day!” “Was she, by Jove? Then I shall have to——” “No, no, she wasn’t. I mean, _you_ are!” “Ah, but I’m—_we’re_ going to turn over a new leaf!” he said, laughing. “That’s settled, isn’t it? Good! This is going to be no end better, all round.” All very well for _him_ to say so! I thought, as I got up and turned towards the dim, blue-white front of the house with the dark girdle of the veranda circling it, and the windows, now lighted up, set into it like a chain of long, rosy jewels. He rose too. “Well!” he said, straightening himself a head and shoulders above me. “Do we shake hands on that, Nancy?” “I suppose so,” said I. What else was there to say or do? _I_ don’t consider it’s going to be “better all round.” For me it will be ever so much more awkward—as well as something—yes!—something like a _climb-down_. Still—— As he held out his hand I put my own into a particularly warm and hearty grip. It was the very first time we’d shaken hands at all. Last night a kiss on the hair! To-night, a handshake!... And, in spite of all I’d expected, he’d never once mentioned that kiss. I suppose he won’t now. CHAPTER XX FRIENDS Often, when I’ve imagined something was going to be so easy and delightful, it’s turned out to involve every kind of difficulty and unpleasantness. Like earning my own living in the City. And then other things, which I’ve foreseen as such odious and constant worries, have proved to be not nearly so bad after all; in fact, quite amusing—that’s like agreeing to be “friends—real chums” with my employer Mr. Waters. He’s really quite—I don’t know how to put it—_different_.