She was almost asleep. . . .
Someone was speaking again. Elly's voice, calmer now, wistful and wondering, as though she were lying awake and trying to think.
"Mother."
"Yes, dear, what is it?
"Mother, aren't you and father afraid of anything?"
Marise was wide-awake now, thinking hard. She felt Neale stir, grope for her hand and hold it firmly . . . Neale's strong hand!
She knew what she was saying. Yes, she knew all that it meant when she answered, "No, Elly, I don't believe we are."