"I can't quite make her out," Maud continued confidentially. "She seems to me so listless, not interested in anything. I tried my utmost to get her to talk this morning, but it was no use. What is the matter with her, Colonel Crayfield?"
"She's not well, and she will make no sort of effort to rouse herself." He paused, then added violently: "She's just a little fool!"
"Well, when you think of her upbringing what can you expect? But it seems rather hard on you! I wonder if I could help in any way——"
"What could you do? If a man of my age is weak enough to marry a child, he must put up with the consequences."
"Perhaps if she could have a change; is there no one you could send her to?"
"Only a woman who wouldn't know how to look after her. She'd very soon get into mischief."
"Oh! surely Stella would never do that!"
His silence was significant. For the moment Mrs. Matthews accepted it. She appeared plunged in reflection. Presently she said: "Couldn't you get leave yourself and take her away?"
"Just now it's quite impossible."
"I understand. Later on do you think you could manage it?"