"For days I have felt that I must explain. Especially since your mention of Mr. Stirling. Don't you see?" as she looked puzzled. "It is he who paid for my education."
"Oh," vaguely. "Did I speak of him? He is a great friend of ours."
"It—has not been easy," Maurice went on, very low. "The temptation to put off has been—tremendous. More than I can explain! But I knew it had to be said. And I thought—if I could get you alone for this walk—"
"Yes. I understand."
He clenched his fingers upon his stick, till they whitened through their tan.
"Was it—what I said about my mother that startled you? Or was it—?"
"I have seen your sister Jane," was all she said; and Maurice needed to ask no more.
Doris sighed quietly.
"I suppose it is about time for us to start," she said. She spoke as one in a maze; and still to herself she kept repeating—
"The son of Nurse Molly! The brother of Jane Morris!"