"No. I think I will go to Ladybird. She badly needs comforting. You broke your news to us rather abruptly, you know. We are not hardened yet, like Frank, to the boot-and-saddle life here."
"I'm sorry. It was thoughtless of me. We are all so used to it. One's apt to forget——"
He rose and took a few steps away from her; then, returning, stood squarely before her. She had risen also, partly to prove her own strength, and partly to put an end to the strain of being alone with him.
"Honor," he asked, "was I hard with Ladybird? And am I an unpardonable brute if I insist on holding out against her?"
"Indeed, no! You mustn't dream of doing anything else."
She looked full at him now, forgetful of herself in concern for him.
"I was half afraid—once, that you were going to give way."
"Poor Ladybird! She little guessed how near I came to it. And maybe that's as well, after all."
"Yes, Theo. It would be fatal to begin that way. I quite see how hard it is for her. But she must learn to understand. When it comes to active service, we women must be put altogether on one side. If we can't help, we are at least bound not to hinder."