His voice was charged with some of the strangeness of the night, some significance of the mystery of life and death.

"You read my letter …"

"Yes."

"And you understand … at last?"

"I don't know … I can't tell."

He paused; he leaned nearer.

"Why are you going away?"

"I've been sick," she whispered. "The doctor told me to go."

"For long?"

"For a rest."