"You've only got to give him what he wants," said Gertrude.
"Yes, and he knows he's only got to scream for it."
Gertrude's eyebrows, raised helplessly, were a note on the folly and infatuation of the child's mother.
Caro Bickersteth and Laura left, hopeless of Jane's return to them. Prothero stayed on, conferring with the editor. Later, he found himself alone in the garden with Jane. He asked then (what they were all longing to know) when she was going to give them another book?
"Never again, Owen, never again."
He reproached her.
"Ah—you don't know what it's been, this last year," she said. "George told me I should have to pay for it. So did Nina. And you see how I've paid."
His eyes questioned her.
"Through my child."
He turned to her. His eyes were pitiful but incredulous.