Thomas took his wife’s hand and kissed it.
“I was afraid you would not understand. You understand me now—and it is not too late.”
“But how could we buy Ille?” she asked anxiously.
“Do you remember that swampy wood? Once nobody wanted it, now I am offered a good price for it. That would go some way and I might take the present mortgage over.”
Anne’s eyes opened wide with fear. She thought of Christopher who had been swallowed up by financial obligations.
“I shall work,” said Thomas and his voice became quite youthful, “and pay off the debts.”
“Debts,” repeated Anne mechanically and the practical blood of Ulwing the builder rose in her.
“No, Thomas, we don’t build on debts!” She said this with such force as she had never before put into her speech with her husband.
Thomas stared at her darkly for an instant. Then his figure bent up in a curious way and while he turned aside he made a gesture as if casting something away.
This gesture went to Anne’s heart. In her despair, she must make another effort, fight a last fight at the cost of any sacrifice. And while her bewildered mind was seeking for a solution, her eye followed her husband’s glance instinctively, through the window, to the garden where, under the evening sky the steep roof descended near the gargoyle.