Page:The Works of H G Wells Volume 8.djvu/273

 There was a silence between our lovers for a space.

"That," said Kipps with an allusive movement of the head, "was Chitt'low."

"Is he—a friend of yours?"

"In a way You see—I met im. Leastways 'e met me. Run into me with a bicycle, 'e did, and so we got talking together."

He tried to appear at his ease. The young lady scrutinised his profile.

"What is he?"

s a Nacter chap," said Kipps. "Leastways 'e writes plays."

"And sells them?"

"Partly."

"To whom?"

"Different people. Shares he sells It's all right, reely—I meant to tell you about him before."

Helen looked over her shoulder to catch a view of Chitterlow's retreating aspect. It did not compel her complete confidence.

She turned to her lover and said in a tone of quiet authority, "You must tell me all about Chitterlow. Now."

The explanation began

The School Play came almost as a relief to Kipps. In the flusterment of going in he could almost forget for a time his Laocoon struggle to explain, and in the intervals he did his best to keep forgetting. But Helen, with a gentle insistence, resumed the explanation of Chitterlow as they returned towards Folkestone.