"I hope it won't come to that," he said.
It was Rupert who asked her a week later if she had jilted Zebedee.
"Why?" she asked quickly.
"He's ill, woman."
"I know."
"But really ill. You ought to send him away until the spring."
Her lips moved for a few seconds before she uttered "Yes," and after that sound she was mute under the double fear of keeping him and parting from him, but, since to let him go would give her the greater pain, it was the lesser fear, and it might be that the powers who were always waiting near to demand a price would, in this manner, let her get her paying done. She welcomed the chance of paying in advance and she kept silence while she strengthened herself to do it bravely.
Because she did not speak, Rupert elaborated. "When Zebedee loses his temper, there's something wrong."
"Has he done that?"
"Daniel daren't speak to him."