They had passed the village and struck out on the straight road by the park.
"I—I have missed you, Victor," she burst out suddenly, looking round and laying her gloved hand on his arm.
"Hush!" he answered in a stern voice.
A second later he broke the silence by asking her if Tommy drank milk.
"No," she returned sullenly, "he hates it."
"That is a pity."
When they reached the gate and turned into the avenue she found to her surprise that her eyes were full of tears. She had slept very little for nights, and her nerves were upset. She wanted a personal word from him, a look, but he gave her none.
"Théo sent you his love," he announced presently. "He is coming down to-morrow. How is your mother?"
"All right. Victor—are you glad to see me?"
She stood still as she spoke, but he walked on, and she had to rejoin him as he answered in a matter-of-fact voice: