of carrying on a clandestine love affair with her with the danger he knew there was of being found out in a small place. And then he wanted her in peace, he wanted her with him. He wanted so much more than sex from her.
They greeted each other as they always did with impersonal warmth and were immediately plunged into the rush of the day. It was not till six o’clock, after the staff had all left that they were alone.
“Have you to work to-night?” he asked.
“Yes, but only for an hour and a half. What about you?”
“Oh, I’ve finished up with Johnson. So I’m going home. Shall you be able to come out on the river to-morrow afternoon?”
“Yes,” but she was disappointed that he said nothing of that evening.
“Good. I’d like to take you down towards Aoroa. Meet me by that bit of bush half a mile below Mac’s. You know it?”
“Yes, I know it.”
“All right. Be there by three.”
“Are you going now?”
“Yes, I’m going home. Good-night.” He kissed her lightly, smiled airily at her, and saluted her as he went past the counter. She stood up to watch him cross the street and get into the Diana and go off upstream.
As she ate her dinner and as she worked afterwards in the office she kept thinking he would come back. But he did not come back.
They met each other, however, gaily enough the next day, and she was delighted to find he showed no inclination to talk seriously. As the day was cool and showery she wore a tweed suit and carried a cloak as well, and he had on a light oilskin. The wind was strong at times and as
