Shirley, solicitous to soothe, held her hand over Mr. Moore's as it lay on the arm of the chair. She just touched it lightly, scarce palpably.
"Well, give me your hand," he said. "It will be for the first time; it is in a moment of calamity. Give it me."
Awaiting neither consent nor refusal, he took what he asked.
"I am going to Briarmains now," he went on. "I want you to step over to the rectory and tell Caroline Helstone what has happened. Will you do this? She will hear it best from you."

Shirley held her hand over Mr. Moore's, touching it lightly.
"Well, give me your hand," he said. Awaiting neither consent nor refusal, he took it. "I am going to Briarmains now," he went on. "Will you step over to the rectory and tell Caroline Helstone what has happened? She will hear it best from you."
