"Yes," critically. "You are better. I should say that the worst was over."
"I'm sure it is. Supposing we leave it at that."
Desire smiled her shadowy smile. "Very well. But I wanted you to know that I understand. It's so silly to go on pretending not to see, when one does see. And it's only natural that things should seem more poignant for a time. Only you will recover much more quickly if you adopt a sensible attitude. I do not say, 'do not think of Mary,' I say 'think of her openly.'"
"How," said Spence, "does one think openly?"
"One talks."
"You wish me to talk of Mary?"
"It will be so good for you!" warmly.
They looked for a moment into each other's eyes. And Spence was conscious of a second shock. Was there, was there the faintest glint of something which was not all sympathy in those grey depths of hers? Before his conscious mind had even formulated the question, his other mind had asked and answered it, and, with the lightning speed of the subconscious, had acted. The professor became aware of a complete change of outlook. His remorse and timidity left him. His brain worked clearly.
"Very well," said the professor.
The worm had turned!