"Yes, and the best, Ken. It was like seeing you come back from hell—unharmed."
"Do you think I should tell Nancy? Put her on her guard? There is something in me——"
At this Joan leaned forward with a new light on her face—it was the maternal taking shape.
"No, Ken, you must not tell Nan. With her it is the not knowing that matters. She must be guarded; not put on guard. I know now that Nan will be safe with you; I wasn't sure before; but if you raised a doubt in her mind all would go wrong. She was always like that."
"But——" for a moment a beaten terror rose in Raymond's eyes.
Joan nodded bravely to him.
"You and I, Ken, must never give fear a chance. Once we know, we must not turn back."
She stood up, looking tall and commanding.
Raymond rose also and took her hands.
"You're great, Joan," he said, "simply great. You understand—though how you do, the Lord only knows.