"Where have you been?"
"What does it matter?" replied Philippe. "I ought not to have come back ... but I could not keep away, because of father.... I was too much upset.... How is he?"
"Dr. Borel won't say anything definite yet."
"And what is your opinion?"
"My opinion? Well, frankly speaking, I am very hopeful. Your father is so strong! But, all the same, it was a violent shock...."
"Yes," he said, "that is what alarms me. I have not lived, these last two days. How could I possibly go before knowing for certain?..."
She hinted, with a certain feeling of apprehension:
"Then you want to stay here?"
"Yes ... provided he does not know."