For some time silence fell between them as they were thrust before the wind.
"Oh, my God, what a terrible, beautiful world it is!" she cried suddenly. "But cruel difficult sometimes."
He could not speak to her.
"D'you know what's going to happen?" she asked. "I mustn't tell Daniel, but I must tell somebody or 'twill kill me. Mr. Woodrow—he thinks the wide world of dear Daniel. He puts him first—first afore all in his mind."
Mr. Prout groaned, and she extended her hand to him.
"I do wish you'd take my arm, John. This be too heavy work for your weak legs."
He took it. He longed to speak and pray her for her own sake, and for his master's sake, to keep Brendon to his resolution. His master was the uppermost thought.
"Mr. Woodrow's going to write a will," said Sarah Jane. "I prayed him not; I prayed him not to think of death, or any such thing. His be a very beautiful, generous life, John."
"Oh, woman, why was you let come into it?"
"I love him, John."