"Jim isn't coming back," she said soberly.
"But what makes you say so, dear? How do you know?"
"Well, I just know it," Julia said, raising heavy-lidded eyes. They looked at each other.
"But you aren't telling me seriously, my child, that you two—the most devoted couple I ever saw—why, Julia, show a little courage, child! Jim must be brought to his senses, that's all. We must think what's wisest to do, and do it. But, my dear, there'd be no marriages left in the world if people flew off the handle—"
"I have been thinking, all night," Julia said patiently, "and this is what I thought. I want"—she glanced restlessly about the room—"I want to get away from here! That'll take some little while."
"Go away by all means, dear, if you want to, but don't dismantle your house—don't make it impossible for the whole thing to blow over——"
"He won't come back," Julia repeated quietly.
"You don't think so?" Miss Toland said uncomfortably. "H'm!"
"No one must know, not even Doctor and Mother," pursued Julia. "No newspapers, nobody!"
"Well, in any case, that's wise!" the older woman assented. "And where will you go—to Sally?"