"I'm half frozen, and I'm afraid that I
have a taken a chill."
[Illustration: "'I was going to ask him to give me a cup of tea,' he
said."]
Miss Drewitt nearly dropped her tea-cup in surprise at his audacity. He
was certainly very cold, and she noticed a little blue mixed with the red
of his nose. She looked round the cosy room and then at the open door,
which was causing a bitter draught.
"He is not in," she repeated.
"Thank you," said Mr. Tredgold, patiently. "Good afternoon."
He was so humble that the girl began to feel uncomfortable. His
gratitude for nothing reminded her of a disappointed tramp; moreover,
the draught from the door was abominable.
"I can give you a cup of tea, if you wish," she said, shivering. "But
please make haste and shut that door."
Mr. Tredgold stepped inside and closed it with alacrity, his back being
turned just long enough to permit a congratulatory wink at the
unconscious oak. He took a chair the other side of the fire, and,
extending his numbed fingers to the blaze, thanked her warmly.
"It is very kind of you," he said, as he took his cup from her. "I was
half frozen."
"I should have thought that a brisk walk home would have been better for
you," said the girl, coldly.
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