"Has Vi'let known her long?"
"I think so. I can't say exactly how long."
"Before she was married?"
"Yes."
Something in his manner made her pause, pondering.
"Did you know her before you married, Ran?"
"Ages before."
His mother sighed.
"I suppose," said Ranny, harking back, "some women are like that."
"Like what now?" She didn't want to go back to it. She was afraid of what she might be driven to say.