"It's been going on for a long time."
"What makes you think so?"
"Oh," said Maisie, "everything."
"Then why don't you ask him?"
"But—if it is so—would he tell me?"
"I don't know. Perhaps he wants to tell you, only he's afraid. Anyhow, if it isn't so he'll tell you and you'll be happy."
"Somehow I don't think I'm going to be happy."
"Then," he said, "you're going to be brave."
She thought: He knows. He's known all the time, only he won't give them away.
"Yes," she said, "I'll ask him."