"False modesty, for shame. Stop it at once." He tipped her chin up carefully and kissed her, lingering there a moment. His fatigue was shading into tranquility, but the effect was the same. He could imagine no better place to rest; lying here with her was the best comfort he had, even if he was only allowing himself to be half truthful. He took her hand in his and lay back, pulling her along. "It's far too late for that foolishness. - I have nowhere particularly important to be tomorrow morning, however." And after a night's sleep he would be a little more on his toes.