It was rather a silent walk back to the little house among the trees. Esme felt shy at having been so outspoken. He had taken her rebuke in good part; she liked him for that. She liked, too, the quiet way in which he assumed command of herself and of everything when they reached the house and stepped up to the little stoep. He presented a new and more forceful side to his character. The woman of the house fetched two chairs at his request, which she placed side by side in a corner of the stoep beyond the reach of the sun's rays that fell slantwise upon the white stone floor under the low roof. Hallam separated the chairs and pushed a little deal table between them and sat down opposite the girl. "It is pleasanter to eat out of doors," he said. "I didn't consult your wishes, because I knew it was unnecessary to do so. And even if you preferred breakfasting inside it would not be good for you." "I am satisfied with your choice," she answered, smiling, and took off her hat and dropped it on the floor. "I could eat anywhere; I am so hungry." "Good!" he exclaimed, looking pleased, and surveying her across the narrow table, which the housewife had spread with a much-darned snow-white cloth. It gave him an odd satisfaction to see her there, seated opposite to him, hatless and very much at her ease, a pleasing picture of fresh bright girlhood, with the glow of returning health showing in her cheeks. The woman came out from the house and made further preparations towards their meal. Occasionally she addressed a remark to Hallam; but she was not loquacious. She stared a good deal at his companion: it doubtless caused her surprise to see him with any one. During all the months since he first came to her house he had never brought a friend with him before. She was obviously familiar with Hallam's requirements. Without consulting him she placed a glass of milk on the table beside him, and inquired whether the lady drank tea or coffee. Esme looked at the glass of milk and made up her mind quickly. "Neither. I will have milk also," she said. The woman departed with the order, and the girl and the man sat gazing out on the sunny road and saying nothing. But the silence which hung between them was the silence of comradeship. There was an absence of all constraint in their manner; they were like old friends between whom speech is unnecessary.