"Can you tell me what it is?"
"No, I cannot tell you what it is. I cannot tell any one what it is."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"No, there is nothing you can do. There is nothing any one can do."
Silence followed for some time. He smiled at her sadly:
"Shall I tell you what the trouble is?"
"You do not know what it is. I believe I wish you did know. But I cannot tell you."
"Is it not Rowan?"
She waited awhile without change of posture and answered at length without change of tone:
"Yes, it is Rowan."