»Dear, but will they take me? My God, if they won't! What do you think? Tell me they'll take me—they won't be squeamish! They won't say: You are impossible, you are vile, you have sold yourself! Answer me!«
Silence—and then a reply that rejoiced.
»Yes, they will! Why not, indeed?«
»Oh, my darling. But....«
»Fine people, they are!« The man's voice had the finality of a big fat full stop, but the girl triumphantly repeated, with a touching confidence:
»Yes! They are fine!«
And so radiant was her smile that it seemed as if the very darkness smiled in sympathy and some little stars strayed in as well, little blue points of light. For a new truth had reached her—one that brought not fear, but joy.
Then the shy suppliant voice.
»Let us go to them, dear? You'll take me with you? You won't be ashamed of having such a companion? For they'll accept me, won't they? Just as you did when you came here? Surely you were driven here for some purpose! But—to stay here—you would simply drop into the cesspool. As for me, I—I—I will try. Why don't you say anything?«
Grim silence again, in which could be heard the beating of two hearts—one rapid, hurried, excited; the other hard and slow, strongely slow.