"Yes—yes, I know," he took her up quickly; and there was an awkward silence.
"Who—what—is in that other doolie?" she asked, in a hurried whisper.
"The Boy."
"But, Theo—you're not going to——"
"For God's sake shut up!"
He swayed a little in speaking, and promptly Paul was at his side. No one had heard what passed; and when Mackay, returning to his post by the wounded arm, gently urged Desmond forward, Paul signalled to Evelyn to take his place, while he went back to the doolie.
"Just a minute, Mrs Desmond," he said in a low tone.
Evelyn, startled by the request, stood irresolute; and since there was no time for hesitancy, Honor came forward and put her hand under Theo's elbow. She felt a jar go all through him at her touch, and knew that he had heard Wyndham's request.
"Ah, Honor," he said, by way of greeting, "I'm afraid I've come back a mere log on your hands."
An undernote of bitterness in his tone gave her courage to speak the thought in her mind. "We are only too thankful to have got you back safe—in any condition," she murmured.