Tobias bit the inside of his lip uneasily. He looked at his hands. She had managed to make it even more awkward. The standing clock near the stairs chimed nine mercifully. He shook his head. "Not at all, Mrs. Carpenter. Not more than what ye've seen of the mess in this house, so I suppose we're even." He gave her a wry smile. Then he rose. "We ought to be in bed." He took a candle from a stand near the fireplace, lit it, put it in a holder and handed it to Mrs. Carpenter. "You go ahead. I'll put out the lamps."