"Are you in special need of encouragement just now, dear?" she asked. "Is that big baby of yours making you anxious on account of this expedition?"
"No—oh no! She is going to behave beautifully. The shock upset her at first, and she wanted Theo to stay behind. It was hard for him; but he held out; and I think I have helped her to see that he was right. He has taken her for a ride this afternoon and she is very happy."
"She has a great deal to thank you for, Honor," the elder woman said gravely. "I felt from the first that you were in rather a difficult position between those two, and you have filled it admirably. I have said very little to you about it, so far; but I have watched you and thought of you unceasingly; and I believe Major Meredith would be prouder of you than ever if he could realise that you have turned your time of waiting to such good account."
Honor's cheek still rested against Mrs Conolly's arm, and the warmth that fired it penetrated the thin muslin of her blouse. She wondered a little, but said nothing; and after a short pause Honor spoke in a low voice and with an attempt at lightness which was not a conspicuous success.
"You think too well of me, so does John. I have done little enough. Only, I care very much for—them both, and I want them to be happy—that's all."
"There are always two ways of stating a fact," the other answered, smiling. "And—do you know, Honor, I care very much for you—if you were my own child, I could hardly care more—and, frankly, I want to see you happy in the same way." She laid her free hand over the two that held her own. "It would be a sin for a woman like you not to marry. I take it for granted you have had chances enough, and I have sometimes wondered——"
The girl lifted her head and sat upright. She had come here to escape her trouble, and it confronted her at every turn.
"Please—please don't begin wondering about that," she said decisively, "or I shall have to get up and go away; and I don't want to do that."
"No, no! my child, of course not. We will talk of other things."