Prokop looked at her hands which were twisting desperately.
“I will go there for you,” he said quietly. “As it happens I’ve got to go somewhere in that direction. If you wish it I”
The girl raised her head. “Could you really?” she cried joyfully, “could you . . .?”
“I’m an old . . . colleague of his, you see,” explained Prokop. “If you would like to send him a message . . . or send . . . I would willingly . . .”
“You are really very good,” breathed the girl.
Prokop reddened a little. “That’s nothing,” he defended himself. “As it happens . . . I’ve some free time . . . I should like to go away somewhere and also, generally speaking” He waved his hand in embarrassment. “It’s not worth talking about. I will do anything that you wish.”
The girl blushed and looked quickly in another direction. “I really don’t . . . know how to thank you,” she said in confusion. “I am really very sorry that . . . you. . . . But it is so important—you’re his friend. Don’t you think perhaps that I myself” Then she got control of herself and turned her clear eyes on Prokop. “I must send him something. From somebody else. I cannot tell you.”
“There is no need to,” said Prokop quickly. “I shall give it him and that’s all there is about it. I am so glad that I am able . . . that I can help him. . . . Is it raining then?” he asked suddenly, looking at the drops of moisture on her fur.
“Yes, it is.”
“That’s good,” said Prokop. He was actually
