But the rim bolts that hold on a five-inch tire are not
designed to unscrew too easily. Sophie had started one with an earnest
tug and was twisting stoutly at the second when he reached her. He knew
by the impersonal glance she gave him that he was to her merely a casual
stranger.
"May I help you?" he said politely. "A big tire is rather hard to
handle."
Sophie bestowed another level look upon him as she straightened up from
her task. A puzzled expression showed briefly in her gray eyes. But she
handed him the wrench without parley.
"Thanks, if you will," she said. "These rim bolts are fearfully stiff. I
daresay I could manage it though. I've done it on a lighter car. But
it's a man's job, really."
Thompson laid off his coat and set to work silently, withholding speech
for a double reason. He could not trust his tongue, and he was not given
to inconsequential chatter. If she did not recognize him--well, there
was no good reason why she should remember, if she chose not to
remember. He could lend a hand and go his way, just as he would have
been moved to lend a hand to any one in like difficulty.
He twisted out the bolt-heads, turned the lugs, pulled the rim clear of
the wheel.
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