'Nor for me either?'

'How can I tell?' she said simply, the simplicity lying merely in
the broad outlines of her manner and speech. There were the
semitone of voice and half-hidden expression of eyes which tell
the initiated how very fragile is the ice of reserve at these
times.

Footsteps were heard. Mr. Swancourt then entered the room, and
their private colloquy ended.

The day after this partial revelation, Mr. Swancourt proposed a
drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay, a distance of three or four
miles.

Half an hour before the time of departure a crash was heard in the
back yard, and presently Worm came in, saying partly to the world
in general, part]y to himself, and slightly to his auditors:

'Ay, ay, sure! That frying of fish will be the end of William
Worm. They be at it again this morning--same as ever--fizz, fizz,
fizz!'

'Your head bad again, Worm?' said Mr. Swancourt. 'What was that
noise we heard in the yard?'

'Ay, sir, a weak wambling man am I; and the frying have been going
on in my poor head all through the long night and this morning as
usual; and I was so dazed wi' it that down fell a piece of leg-