“In the old days.”
“Yes,” he said, rising. “Now I must be off.”
“Oh, but you ought not to go yet.”
“I only just came ashore to see you.”
“Oh, you must stay to see my husband. He wants to see you. He’ll be so disappointed if you don’t stay to see him.”
“You must make my apologies. Good-bye, Olivia.”
She held out her hand without emotion of any kind. She would have shaken hands with any other acquaintance with just so little feeling. Margaret wondered what it was that would get within her guard. He took her hand. He tried hard to say no more, but failed, being sorely tempted.
“God bless you,” he said. “I hope you will be very, very happy. God bless you, dear. I wonder if I shall hear of you ever. Or see you again.”
“If you want to, you will,” she said simply, glad that it had gone no further.
“Yes, I shall see you again,” he said.