“I don’t want you to fall over th’ side, do I?” His tone was masterful, but he was not quite sure of himself.

There was silence a moment or two.

“Maurice!” she said, plaintively.

“I’m here,” he answered, tenderly, his voice shaky with excitement that was near to distress. “There, I’ve done. Now should we — we’ll sit under this corner.”

“Maurice!” she was rather pitiful.

“What? You’ll be all right,” he remonstrated, tenderly indignant.

“I be all raïght,” she repeated, “I be all raïght, Maurice?”