"Yes," he said, "I know now."
But her lips scarcely moved as she answered him. "Of course you know."
She faced him with her sad white courage.
"Everybody knows. I'd rather you knew. I—I meant you to."
"Oh please"—he protested. "I wonder if I may say what it is?"
"Yes. It's something about you. If I may say it."
"You may say anything you please. You know that."
"Well, I wanted very much to know whether—whether you were fond of children."
"Oh——" She drew a long breath, as if released from torture. Then she laughed the indescribable half-sobbing laugh of a child tormented and suddenly set free.