“Just the same,” went on Deane quietly, “although I’ve seen him pretend to have the quality you say he has, I’m a woman, and I would know. I would rebel.” She tapped out her cigarette. “Surely, Drew, you can see that he speculates about himself in order to enjoy his own pursuits.”
“That may be so,” agreed Drew, somewhat sardonically. “But I have something of more immediate importance, Deane. Roberts is not well. I don’t know what the trouble is, but he has changed terribly in the past few months. His reaction to Martin is instantaneous and violent. This may affect you. Please see as little as you can of him.”
“I know,” said Deane with a charming, puzzled frown. “I’ve felt it too, and sometimes it frightens me.”
“Please come to Paris,” suggested Drew impulsively, leaning forward and taking both her hands in his.
“Sweet Drew,” whispered Deane, “how good you are! But I love Martin and I need to be with him, I want to go right away to him. Now. Even now,” She stood up and held Drew’s arm as they strolled to the promenade.
“Let’s say good-by right here,” she said, her full, red lips trembling. “I’m about to cry.”
“It isn’t good-by at all, dearest,” said Drew, smiling gravely. “You know that in spite of anything, we’ll always be together. Go to Martin now, but remember that we have the phone, the cable, the secret bond and love in understanding.” He kissed her on both cheeks and as Deane turned, she saw that his eyes were misty.
After she had gone, Drew went into Tai’s little room. The ship was slipping out of the pier and the child clapped his hands at the movement. Drew lay down on the couch and laid his arms over his eyes. This!—to happen for the second time in his life! It was too severe. There could not be a third. Little Tai approached softly and kissed the tears away. It was all he knew, and suddenly Drew smiled.
Before he went on the promenade he looked out through the darkness and saw the black, rolling water. He gazed at himself in the mirror and drew a warm scarf under his dark overcoat. Then he pulled his dark hat over his forehead, looked steadily at himself once more and went on deck.