Christopher laughed, ill at ease.
“Nor do I feel it, I only heard it spoken of. A friend of mine ... you know ... nerves.”
Anne pressed her folded hands convulsively, but her face remained calm.
“Tell your friend that he is ill and that he better attend to it at once.”
Christopher blew the smoke into the air.
“The old ones had more resistance than we. Our generation received so many shocks when young. Do you remember the shell striking the house? And the fire ... those among us who were weak were broken by it, those who were strong became stronger. You became stronger. You are lucky, Anne, and it is good to be near you, you are so sure and cool.”
“Then do remain always near me, Christopher.”
“Yes. By the way, do you sometimes start up in terror at night? You understand, one can’t ask these things from a stranger ... and do you never feel when you are alone, that somebody is standing behind your back? He stands near the wall and watches what you are doing.”
Anne looked horrified at her brother.
“But that is folly....”