After that they walked on in silence. His last remark had been so unexpected in its bitterness, that Helen could find no words in which to answer it.
She glanced at her watch. It was almost time for luncheon. She pointed out their hotel.
"Come, darling; we can talk more easily indoors. We have a charming private sitting-room, overlooking the sea."
He turned at once; but as they entered the hotel gardens he said suddenly: "Did I talk of a Upas tree, while I was off my head?"
"Yes, Ronnie, constantly. In fact you thought you were a Upas tree!"
"I knew I was a Upas tree," said Ronnie.
"Why?"
"Because my wife told me so, the evening I came home. How do you spell 'Upas'?"
"U, P, A, S. Oh, Ronnie, what do you mean?"
He paused, and shading his eyes, looked away over the sunny sea to where the vessels, from the Hook of Holland, come into port.