She spoke quite lightly and with a smile on her lips. She came of soldier people.
"Dear Jack, there's nothing more to be said. I know I'm right. But you needn't go. I'm going instead. I must get back to my boys for half-term. I shall be off early in the morning, so this is good-bye."
"But——" he protested, in a voice that was not quite that of five minutes before.
"No. That's all. I hope——No, don't come with me. Good night!"
Before he knew, she was gone.
CHAPTER XVII
DROP-SCENE
"There is no man that imparteth his griefs to his friend but he grieveth the less."
Bacon.