He went by with a slow step. He could not help seeing the open door. But he did not stop or turn, until he reached the stairhead of the second flight; then he had to face this way again. And as he passed around the railing, he looked up; for Bel was standing where she had stood last night.
She had put herself in his way; but she had not done it lightly, with any half intent, to give him new opportunity for words. There was a pure, gentle quiet in her face; she had something herself to say. He saw it, and went back.
He colored, as he gave her his hand. Her face was pale.
"Come in a moment, Mr. Hewland," said the simple, girlish, voice.
He followed her in.
"You asked me questions last night, and I did not know how to answer them. I want to ask you one question, now."
She had brought him to the side of the round table, upon whose red cloth the large Bible lay. It was open at the place where she had read it.
She put her finger on the page, and made him look. She drew the finger slowly down from line to line, as if she were pointing for a little child to read; and his eye followed it.
"For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh.
"Wherefore, they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."