No doubt they both thought how inconvenient it was that
railways could not be brought into existence without the aid of
such revolting and swinish animals. They glanced down from the
height of their nice decorum and felt the powerful attraction of
similar superior manners. The manners of the navvies were such
that Sophia could not even regard them, nor Gerald Scales permit
her to regard them, without blushing.
In a united blush they turned away, up the gradual slope. Sophia
knew no longer what she was doing. For some minutes she was as
helpless as though she had been in a balloon with him.
"I got my work done early," he said; and added complacently, "As a
matter of fact I've had a pretty good day."
She was reassured to learn that he was not neglecting his duties.
To be philandering with a commercial traveller who has finished a
good day's work seemed less shocking than dalliance with a
neglecter of business; it seemed indeed, by comparison,
respectable.
"It must be very interesting," she said primly.
"What, my trade?"
"Yes. Always seeing new places and so on."
"In a way it is," he admitted judicially. "But I can tell you it
was much more agreeable being in Paris.
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